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LAHORE: The first trial run of Business Express, the first non-stop train to run between Punjab and Sindh capitals with its passenger facilitation by the private sector, remained successful on Thursday.
“The 11-coach train left Lahore at 5:40pm and reached Multan within its stipulated time while running at the sectional speed of 105 kilometres per hour,” an official of the railways commercial wing told Dawn. The trial run was to begin at 10am, but one of its coaches went off the rails at Mughalpura yard. “The track was not free by the time the coach was put back which resulted in delay of seven hours and 50 minutes.
“Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani is likely to be the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of this train at the Lahore railway station on Feb 3,” said the officer.
The Pakistan Railways and M/s Four Brothers International (Pvt) Ltd had signed on Aug 18 last year an agreement to operate the train between Punjab and Sindh capitals as a joint venture under public-private partnership.
The train was to start running between Lahore city and Karachi Cantt within 120 days of signing the agreement, but its inauguration had to be postponed because its coaches could not be renovated and upgraded according to the standards of the private company in time.
Comprising nine AC coaches, two power and one luggage vans and a dining car, the Up-train will leave Karachi city at 3:30pm and reach Lahore at 9:35am the next day, while the Down special will leave Lahore at 3:30pm to arrive at Karachi city at 10am the next day, after having technical stoppages at Khanewal and Rohri.
Ejaz Ahmad of M/s Four Brothers told Dawn that the railways had provided two rakes for the Business Train. “After the successful trial run of a rake, we are making arrangements to conduct the same exercise within the next two or three days,” he said.
The reservation process has begun at the Business Lounge adjacent to the Lahore railways station, Lahore Cantt station and the reservation centre at Railway Headquarters besides through website: www.pakbusinessexpress.com by telephone.
“The facility of home delivery of tickets is also available against a Rs100 courier fee in Lahore, while reservation facility in Karachi is available at Karachi Cantt station,” said Mr Ejaz.
