People prefer buses over trains in Pakistan

Its seems that Pakistan Railways has lost its credence, as despite reducing fares, people are reluctant to travel by trains and are preferring public transport to reach their hometowns to celebrate Eidul Fitr with their dear ones.

To attract passengers and to facilitate them, recently Pakistan Railways, reduced its fares but passengers are still avoiding train service, as they fear they might not reach their destinations in time. Another main reason for public to avoid using train service is closure of around 40 branch lines and people who have to go areas like Bhakkar and many other areas can’t avail this service.

People while talking to ‘The News’ said although public transporters are charging high fares and there is huge rush in vans and buses they prefer this service over train service.

They said that everyone knows that railway fares are reduced, but there is always a risk of delay and they couldn’t afford to take this risk especially on the occasions like Eid.

Nauman Ali, a passenger said, “I have to go to Sargodha to celebrate Eid with my family, but on last day I couldn’t afford to take risk of train service there are many chances of its delay or any other technical problems. “Although I am paying extra money for public transport, but I am quite sure it would reach in time,” he added.

Another passenger, Rizwan Ahmed said, reducing fares is not the way to gain confdence of passengers, if the concerned authorities really want to put Pakistan Railways back on its feet, they should improve its service and ensure its timings.

He said he has to go to Lahore with six family members although train service is cheap for him but on this occasion he couldn’t afford to take risk, as he has to reach in time to celebrate Eid with his parents.

Source: http://tinyurl.com/m63l6b3