Karachi:

In a latest development, Pakistan Railways has initiated the process of outsourcing 11 more trains, which will now work under the public-private partnership model (PPP). However, critics have claimed that the move, which is obvious that aims to improve rail services, may actually be a ticket to the exclusion of the low -income passengers who are very dependent on cheap forms of intermediate city transport.

While railway employees claim that outsourcing will improve the quality of the services, civil society representatives have expressed deep concerns about the relocation, which can lead to increased prices, creating difficulties for the underprivileged masses. It is worth noting that rail trips in Pakistan are still considered a popular state of cheap transport for the poor and middle -class groups. According to estimates, about 100,000 people travel daily by train, mostly on larger railways between Karachi and different cities in Punjab.

A passenger, Muhabbat Ali, who often traveled from Larkana to Karachi at Mohenjo-Daro Express, revealed that although various bus operators operated on this route, he preferred to travel by train due to the reasonable fare and a relatively comfortable journey.

Malik Tanveer Awan, a Karachi-based employee, revealed that he often traveled to Punjab by train. “Although a small ticket increase may not affect employees, even a minor fare can seriously affect workers traveling from Punjab to Karachi for work. Pakistan Jernbaner had to reserve some economy coaches on PPP trains without a ticket-high increase, which ensures affordable prices for low-income passengers,” Awan requested Awan.

According to sources of the Express Pakinomist, Pakistan Railway is currently operating a total of 47 trains, 11 of which have already been outsourced, while 11 more are offered to public-private operation. According to Pakistan Railway’s administration, the trains that outsoures, Bolan Mail (Karachi to Quetta) include Hazara Express (Karachi to Havelian), Kushhal Khan Khattak Express (Karachi to Peshawar), Bahawal your Zakariya Express (Karachi to Multan), Shalimar Express (Karachi to Lahore), Musa Papa Pectace (Karachi to Multan) (Dera Ghazi Khan to Lahore), Thal Express (Multan to Rawalpindi), Mehran Express (Karachi to Mirpurkhas), Mohenjo Daro -Passages (Kotri to Rohri) and Rawalpindi Express (Havelian to Rawalpindi).

According to Zahid Farooq, an urban planning expert in the Urban Resource Center (URC), trains are still a preferred mode of transport for the working class, therefore any increase in ticket prices will disproportionately affect this segment. “Pakistan Railways’ decision to hand over more trains to private operators will gradually reduce government control over railways. As a result, the government will not be able to give relief to the public in the future by driving special trains on holidays or reducing ticket prices by special services.

Hamid Qureshi, Divisional Commercial Officer (DCO) from Pakistan Railways in Karachi, The Express Pakinomist told me that more than 10 percent of the PPP model was not allowed to be more than 10 percent. “Therefore, only a minor ticket increase can be expected, but in turn, passenger services are improved. PPP trains are equipped with water dispensers and Wi-Fi; facilities that are not often available in regular trains,” claimed Qureshi.