Following a spike in diesel prices, PR raises passenger fares.

In response to rising diesel prices, Pakistan Railways (PR) raised passenger train fares by 2%. According to officials, coal and fertilizer rates have increased by 3% and 2%, respectively, in the freight industry,

Diesel prices increased by Rs 11.37 per litre, costing the state-owned operator an extra Rs 3.99 million per day and approximately Rs 119.5 million per month.

Every day, Pakistan Railways uses about 350,000 liters of diesel.

The renovated Pak Business Express, a once-celebrated public-private partnership (PPP) train service that eventually failed due to operational and financial issues, is set to relaunch in the meantime.

Read: PR prepares for the upcoming Business Express

In the upcoming days, the prime minister is anticipated to officially launch the redesigned train, promising better seats, Wi-Fi, upgraded coaches, and enhanced catering.

The train was designed to modernize travel on the Lahore-Karachi route when it was introduced in 2012 as part of a PPP between Pakistan Railways and Four Brothers Group.

PR supplied locomotives and track access, while the private partner oversaw onboard services. However, the private company’s financial mismanagement and internal opposition from the railway bureaucracy hindered the venture.

Legal issues resulted from payment defaults, and by 2015, PR had complete control, ending the collaboration.