Pakistan Railways instructs outsourced train services to provide concessions to eligible passengers

LAHORE: Pakistan Railways on Tuesday instructed private companies operating outsourced trains to accept railway passes, privilege ticket orders (PTOs) and concession cards for eligible passengers, including senior citizens, journalists and persons with disabilities.

The Office of the Chief Commercial Manager at Pakistan Railways Headquarters in Lahore issued directions to private operators, including S. Jamil & Company, ZKB-BT JV, AA Enterprises, Prime Rail and Lasani Cargo, requiring them to provide all applicable travel concessions in line with railway rules and contractual agreements.

In its letter, the department noted that operators had been instructed repeatedly to extend travel facilities to eligible passengers.

It referred to Clause 5.15 of the agreements, which requires private companies to honour railway employees’ travel benefits, privilege and post-retirement passes, duty and privilege ticket orders, special passes, and concessions for senior citizens, persons with disabilities and other entitled categories.

The agreement also states that the relevant travel quota will lapse 48 hours before the train’s scheduled departure.

The provision outlines the obligations of private operators regarding the acceptance of passes and other authorised travel facilities issued by Pakistan Railways.

According to the department, it has received numerous complaints about the denial of travel concessions to eligible passengers, including senior citizens, persons with disabilities, journalists and railway employees.

The complaints were submitted through the Pakistan Citizen Portal and the Wafaqi Mohtasib (Federal Ombudsman).

Pakistan Railways has now directed all concerned private operators to ensure immediate and strict compliance with Clause 5.15 of their agreements.

The department stressed that all admissible passes, PTOs, special passes and other travel concessions must be provided to entitled passengers in accordance with applicable railway rules and policies.