Pakistan Railways continues to grapple with low passenger turnout, which is why it has been canceling multiple train services under a broader cost-cutting initiative. On Saturday, two more prominent trains — Business Express and Shah Hussain Express — were removed from operation due to empty seats and ongoing financial losses.
Railway officials confirmed that affected passengers will be adjusted to alternative trains to minimize travel disruptions. Travelers booked on Business Express will now be accommodated in Karachi Express, which is scheduled to depart from Lahore at 6:00 PM. Meanwhile, passengers from the now-suspended Shah Hussain Express will be shifted to the Green Line, departing from Lahore to Karachi at 8:50 PM.
According to railway sources, the cancellations are part of a series of what they are calling “slack parades” — a term being used to describe the scaling down of services in response to financial pressure and underutilization. Officials stated that more service reductions may follow, depending on future evaluations of ridership trends and economic viability.
The situation puts into perspective the ongoing challenges for Pakistan Railways, which has struggled in recent years to maintain operations amid increasing costs and competition from other modes of transportation. Further decisions on additional suspensions are expected in the coming weeks following performance reviews.
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This is an absolute failure on the part of heavily -paid officers’ battalion in Pak Railways. Undoubtedly, train is the safest mode of transportation across globe. I haven’t heard of any country showing this sort of measure to combat lack of passengers. Instead, they dare make attractive offers to people to choose railway as their favourite means of traveling. Whereas in Pakistan certain Minister in past came up with the plan of closure of the whole system once for all.
PR need to upgrade train coaches, train tracks and over all services.
Also revolutionise the internal audit system, avoiding politically biased recruitments.
The trains are being cancelled for some other reason. I frequent the Business Express from Khi to Lhr and back via same for past few years. It’s always full except for winters only.
Fares are too high coaches are in worst condition
Economy class fare are equalevet to AC Bus fare
After paying high fare AC class coaches filled with bedbugs, cockroach and mice. AC not works during day time ac attended always response that compressor are not working that’s why cooling issue
MaShaAllah as per history another action without home work. They have made the decision at the peak of season of summer vacation the busiest two or three months of the year.
Dear,
You are not focusing on the passengers need. If you are gonna to check, then the issue is that you are not locally running trains for passengers, many of very poor and can’t bear the expenses of coaches/buses. The local area of every city mafia are not giving the permission to run another services in their cities, just they run their own services, if I called about Jhang so he is the sheikh party they are not allowing any other services excluding their own Shalimar.
In the same context, the other cities are also doing like this. You have destroyed your own railway with your own hands.
i agree to you they treat passenger like beggars it should not happen customer service is more important than anything is any buissness
The reason behind this loss of commuters is… poor rather absence of in-train facilities…like lights…fans…washroom cleanliness and availability of water… broken doors and windows…and above all this…trains being late by eons… any facilities that are available…are only for first class or parlour class…economy class is for “animals” who don’t deserve anything…
I am a frequent commuter and used to travel by train… but now have switched to road travel… which starts n reaches in time…rest areas provide good rest room facilities…
Pakistan Railway not doing good thing as Business Express they closed instead of closed the train Pakistan railway must focus of time arrival of train and tickets fares / cleaning of train department . Facilities in train department.
I am at continuously traveler Lahore to Karachi Lahore, minimum ane time a month, from 9up & 10 down Allama Iqbal Express, since long time, last more than one year A C Standard started, a good effort of PR. But sorry to say that after connecting to Rabta the Birth problem to everyone facing, we booked lower birth on Rabta but in bogie nombers changed by the staff nomber on up or middle, a lot of people can’t go up sides, so please manage the same position. Thanks. Jamal Shah. Legal Advisor.
But i have purchased shah hussain tickets from khi to fsd yesterday. Is this a confirmed news?