Burdened by mounting deficit, PR decides to outsource 24 trains.

Byline: Khalid Hasnain

LAHORE -- In a bid to reduce operational and administrative cost in view of the massively increasing financial deficit, especially during the coronavirus-induced recession, the Pakistan Railways (PR) has decided in principle to outsource its 24 (Up/Down) passenger trains.

The department, which has already completed bidding for four Up/Down trains, has also started preparatory works required ahead of handing over 24 trains to the private sector, Dawn has learnt.

The trains that have been finalised for outsourcing, according to a document, include Sir Syed Express (35-Up/36-Down, running between Rawalpindi and Karachi via Lahore), Hazara Express (11-Up/12-Down running between Rawalpindi and Karachi via Sargodha), Attock Passenger (201-Up/202-Down, Attock-Mari Indus), Jand Express (203-Up/204-Down, Attock City-Jand), Mehr Express (127-Up/128-Down, Multan-Rawalpindi via Kot Addu), Gujranwala Passenger (total six trains -- 217-Up/218-Down, 219-Up/220 Down and 221-Up/222-Down, Lahore-Gujranwala), Chenab Express (135-Up/136-Down, Lalamusa-Sargodha), Lalamusa Express (137-Up/138-Down, Lalamusa-Sargodha), Karana Express (253-Up/254-Down, Lalamusa-Sargodha), Faiz Ahmad Faiz Express (209-Up/210-Down, Lahore-Narowal).

'Massively increased financial deficit, which has crossed Rs35 billion, has left the PR with no option but to outsource its trains, some of them are already running in loss. Before start of the lockdown in March, this year, the PR had initiated the process to outsource four trains, including Farid Express. Though the bidding process for the four trains has already been completed, those given the trains under a public-private partnership are not ready to run theses in the ongoing recession period due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Moreover, the PR is currently running a limited number of trains with just 60 percent mandatory occupancy...