Despite a notable decrease in the prices of petroleum products, Pakistan Railways has yet to reduce train fares to mirror the drop in costs, leading to growing inconvenience for passengers.
The price of diesel, the primary fuel source for Pakistan Railways, has recently witnessed a significant reduction of Rs11 per litre. However, passengers continue to pay the same fares they did when fuel prices were significantly higher.
In a series of actions between August 16 and September 18, train fares were increased three times, largely attributed to the rising cost of diesel. The Pakistan Railways initially raised fares by 10 percent on August 16, followed by an additional 5 percent increase between September 1 and 18.
Railway authorities have revealed that the Pakistan Railways consumes approximately 350,000 litres of diesel daily. Despite the noticeable decrease in diesel prices, passengers have yet to see corresponding adjustments in train fares.
While railway sources indicate that discussions regarding fare reductions are underway, no final decision has been reached.
This issue comes in the wake of the caretaker government’s announcement on Sunday, heralding a significant decrease in petrol prices for the upcoming fortnight, marking the first such decrease in two-and-a-half months. Petrol prices have been lowered by Rs8 per litre, with diesel prices experiencing an even more substantial reduction of Rs11.
As of the latest update, the new price of diesel stands at Rs318.18 per litre.
Earlier reports had suggested that the surge in fuel prices had a substantial impact on train operations. Pakistan Railways’ administration argued that the necessity for fare increases was directly linked to the soaring fuel costs, further emphasizing the need for a timely and appropriate response to alleviate passenger concerns.
