LAHORE – The federal government reincarnated Pakistan Railways’ shuttle service between Shahdara and Kotlakhpat on Saturday.
PPP central leader Asif Hashmi inaugurated the train at Shahdara Railways Station. The projects comprised four coaches, which run through the two destinations after every three hours making a stop at every railways station in the way. The shuttle service would be able to provide travelling facilities to 4,000 passengers in a day and fare is set at Rs10 between Shahdara and Kotlakhpat.
The Railways had earlier started the train a year before on April 2012 between Lahore Railways Station and Shahdara. The service was a part of the railways’ programme to use its repaired locomotives for short distance travelling for financial benefits of the utility. The Railways had then announced that trains would also be operated in other cities as well. The fare was set Rs30 but later it was reduced because the train had failed to attract passengers. The Railways management closed the service after some month saying it was causing financial losses to the department.
The sources said that Railways management has made arrangements on the direction of the federal government to recommence the service on cheap fares competing with the Metro service.