Railway Fare
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Railways announced another fare increase for passenger, express, and mail trains on Wednesday, marking the second hike within just 15 days, according to a notification. The fare adjustment will take effect from July 4 and applies to all categories of passenger trains, including express and advance bookings, with a 2 percent increase across the board.
This decision comes as a direct response to the recent surge in petroleum product prices, particularly diesel, which has significantly increased operational costs for the railways.
Officials revealed that Pakistan Railways has been suffering a monthly financial loss of around Rs 109 million, primarily due to the rising diesel prices, making the fare hike a necessary measure to offset these escalating expenses.
The railway authorities have directed relevant departments, including the Director of IT and the DS, to implement and ensure compliance with the new fare structure without delay. The announcement follows a previous fare increase on June 18, when passenger train fares were raised by 3 percent and freight train fares by 4 percent, indicating the persistent financial pressure faced by the rail sector.
This fare hike coincides with the federal government’s recent decision to increase the prices of petroleum products for the fortnight ending July 15. According to the Ministry of Finance, petrol prices have risen by Rs 14.80 per litre, pushing the retail price to Rs 266.89 per litre.
Similarly, the cost of high-speed diesel has increased by Rs 10.39 per litre, setting the new rate at Rs 272.98 per litre. These steep rises in fuel costs have directly impacted the operational expenditures of Pakistan Railways, which relies heavily on diesel fuel for its locomotive engines.
With rising fuel prices continuing to strain the railway’s budget, officials believe the modest fare hike is essential to help stabilize the financial health of Pakistan Railways and maintain service quality.
Meanwhile, passengers will have to adjust to the incremental increase in travel costs, the second such adjustment within a fortnight, reflecting the broader economic challenges linked to inflation and fuel price volatility in the country.
