Pakistan Railways to Brand Multiple Passenger Trains and Railway Platforms Across the Country Pakistan Railways

 

Pakistan Railways to Brand Multiple Passenger Trains and Railway Platforms Across the Country Pakistan Railways is all set to brand multiple passenger trains and railway platforms across the country to transform itself into a profitable entity. And it can be made a profitable department. Railways Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique has already directed the concerned authorities to come up with a new revenue model regarding the branding of trains and platforms, an official of the Railway Ministry told APP.

He said that branding of trains and platforms will not only cover the growing deficit of Pakistan Railways but also allow private firms to promote their products to improve the financial condition of the railways.
He said that initially five trains will be offered to Pakistan Railways as a pilot project for branding of their seat covers, inner walls of passenger coaches and even toilets.

He further said that after starting this project, the deficit of the department will be reduced and the Federal Minister Railways has already directed the concerned persons to complete all the rules and regulations in this regard as soon as possible. Regarding concentration on core activities, he said that Pakistan Railways has prepared a business plan in January 2023 to increase its revenue and reduce expenses through better governance.
The project is being fully implemented. He further said that the recent initiatives towards digitalization in the form of Enterprise Resource Planning and Railway Automated Booking and Travel Assistance (RATA) are aimed at increasing efficiency and reducing the revenue expenditure gap. He said that the department has restarted its premium train service Green Line from January 2023 and this train consists of newly imported Chinese coaches equipped with infotainment services like LED, Wi-Fi, and a public address system.
Pakistan Railways is also importing 230 passenger coaches from China, out of which 46 bogies have come from China while the remaining coaches will be assembled in the country through the transfer of technology. Regarding the emphasis on revenue generation through non-core activities, he said that Pakistan Railways had recently submitted a business plan to the Supreme Court and had successfully pleaded before the court to allow the department to use its land for economic activities. be allowed to use and thereby ensure revenue.
He said that some other avenues are being explored to improve the revenue potential of the department including business potential by laying optical fiber cable along railway tracks.395