RAWALPINDI, Dec 28: Low passenger turnout has forced Pakistan Railways to reduce fares of railcars plying Rawalpindi-Lahore route. The reduction will go into effect from January 1, 2013.

“The railcar fare from Rawalpindi to Lahore will be reduced from January 1 to attract passengers,” said Pakistan Railways Divisional Superintendent Syed Munawar Shah, while talking to Dawn.

He said that Air-conditioned Parlour fare would be reduced from Rs980 to Rs800, Lower AC from Rs730 to Rs600 and the fare for economy class would be reduced from Rs500 to Rs320.

He said, however, other fares would remain the same.

Fares were increased by five per cent throughout the country, on September 1, after the increase in the price of diesel. As a result, low turnout of passengers was recorded, in the last three months.

The low turnout forced the railway managers to reduce fares for eight trains from Rawalpindi to Lahore, as these trains had been crucial in generating revenue in the past.

A railway official not wanting to be named, told Dawn that after the increase in fares in September, the number of passengers in Air-condition Parlour reduced from 5,040 to 2,500, Lower AC from 8,640 to 3,100 and for economy class from 4,4100 to 3,9000.

Divisional Superintendent Syed Munawar Shah added: “The main reason behind the reduction in the fare was competition with the public transport. The bus services from Rawalpindi and Islamabad charged less.”

Meanwhile, passengers who used to travel from Rawalpindi to Lahore through railcars were of the view that the two main reasons to avoid train travel were high fares and late arrivals and departures at train stations.

Moeed Ahmed, a Rawalpindi based trader frequently visiting Lahore, said that buses commuting between Lahore and Rawalpindi charged less and arrived and departed on time.

Sohaib Khalid, another frequent visitor, said that bad experiences of delays forced him to opt for other options. He said that the railways should improve its services and make trains more punctual.