Pakistan Railways (PR) is revolutionising new ways to make travel easier for passengers across the country. PR, for the past four years come up with numerous new ways to ensure a slicker travel experience. For passengers it has introduced new Passenger Reservation System because old oracle based system is obsolete. Federal Minister for Railways Khawaja Saad Rafique has introduced Pakistan Railways’ own E-ticketing system. Now clienteles are able to book their tickets via internet and mobile phones with this ticketing system. The payments are done through credit cards, debit cards, mobile banking accounts UBL Omni and Jazz Cash.

As soon as reservation is done and payment is made, an approval message will be sent to the user. The message will have significant details including ticket number, coach number, seat number, identity card number, and whole date of travel. This system was introduced on October 3, 2016 and in June 2017 approximately 27,500 passengers have used this system. As a result PR has earned Rs36 million. Nowadays almost 3,500 passengers are taking advantage of E-ticketing. PR has launched mobile application, Pak Rail, to reserve seats of their choice without visiting their local reservation offices.

PR has introduced the duplicate ticket system - a major resolution to ease the railways passengers in the country. Previously, if a passenger lost his rail ticket, he would have to purchase the new ticket again by paying full payment but now he would be issued the new ticket without repayment. Parking at major stations is also improved.

New modern security system is also introduced. For first time in history of PR, fares were reduced on various occasions at different sections and classes. In Ramzan and Eid packages 25 to 50 percent discount was given. Resultantly number of passengers has reached up to 5 million and 22 lacs. Pakistan Railways has announced to cut down fares of five passenger trains by 50 percent from November 1. The fare from Peshawar to Lahore in air-conditioned (AC) business class train of Jaffar Express and Khyber Mail will be reduced to Rs900 from Rs1,740. On the other hand, fare from Peshawar to Lahore in AC sleeper carriage of Jaffar Express will be Rs1,410 instead of Rs2,280.The economy class rates of Jaffar Express and Awam Express will also come down, with passengers having to pay Rs860 instead of Rs1,340 for AC standard carriage, to travel from Peshawar to Lahore. Passengers will also be able to travel from Peshawar to Lahore for as low as Rs390 in air-conditioned standard carriage of Rail Car train. The rate of the travel before reduction is Rs480.

PR is also focusing on new and upgraded trains. Green Line can be an example. It is not an ordinary service. It offers its passengers free WiFi facilities, all the way from Karachi to Islamabad and back. The train contains AC business coaches, as well as complimentary breakfast and tea. A large number of trains have been upgraded in last three years. From 2015 to 2016, almost 13 rakes of Tezgam, Pak Business, Karachi, Musa Pak, Multan, Sukkar and Karakoram Express have been upgraded. Karakoram Express has the capability for 1,100 passengers after the upgradation. Several facilities are being provided to passengers of business coaches. 20 rakes of Khushal Khan Khattak, Fareed, Hazara, Jaffar, Shalimar and Pakistan Express were upgraded from 2016 to 2017. Old coaches of all the rakes of Pakistan Express were being supplanted with rehabilitated coaches to improve passenger facilitation. The old rakes were fitted out with 110 volts power supply which is switched to 220 volts.

This mends passenger comfort by providing un-interrupted power supply throughout the journey with a dedicated power plant. Four rakes of Awam express will be upgraded till 2018. Rakes of Awam Express are also upgraded. The new rake consists of new flooring, paneling, public address system and a digital destination board. New curtains, window units and lavatory accessories have also been installed. The rake, whose upgradation cost has been Rs25 million, contains 11 economy coaches, 3 AC standard coaches, 1 Brake van, 1 luggage van, 1 AC dining car and 1 power plant. The upgradation of facilities and service quality will greatly benefit the passengers of Awam Express. In 2018, Khyber Mail, Akbar, Allama Iqbal, Bahaud Din Zakirya and Kohat Express will also be upgraded.

Catering facilities are available on the various trains. At stations, facilities like fast food, restaurants, and vending stalls are provided. Facilities like waiting room, Refreshment room, vending stall, book stall, drinking water, police help centre and medical first aid are provided at all important stations. Handicapped passengers are provided with wheel chairs and special counters.

Pakistan Railways takes care of its passengers because it is an important social function. With each passing day PR is trying its best to make the travel of passengers easy and economical.