ISLAMABAD: The measures adopted by incumbent Pakistan Railways authorities are giving positive results as the number of passengers reached 6.12 million mark during last three months as compared to same period last year.

During the months of August, September and October this year, more than 61,21,786 passengers travelled through Pakistan Railways while during the same period previous year, 46,37,618 passengers travelled.

The difference of 14,84,168 passengers between both the periods showed that the steps taken by Pakistan Railways as per directions of Minister for Railways, Saad Rafique, are bearing fruits and passengers have started travelling through this mode of communication.

The data issued by Pakistan Railways on Thursday revealed that the number of passengers in August this year was 19,49,875 as compared to 16,21,999 passengers in same month last year.

Similarly, in September this year, 17,99,702 passengers travelled through Pakistan Railways as compared to 13,04,409 passengers during the period last year while the number of passengers reached 23,72,209 in October this year as compared to 17,11,210 passengers during the month previous year.

There are four (04) major indicators to determine the performance of Pakistan Railways.

As per details, there are four major indicators to help determine performance of Pakistan Railways which include punctuality of trains, revenue generation position, number of passengers and public facilitation.

The analysis of these four factors during the last three months as compared with same period of previous year indicates that there is substantial improvement in the performance of the department.

In punctuality area, during August this year it was observed 42% as compared to 32% during same month last year, in September the punctuality was observed 54% as compared to 34% in same month previous year and in October this year, the authorities observed 55% punctuality as compared to 40% in October last year.

With regard to revenue generation, the department earned Rs.5.319 billion during above mentioned last three months as compared to Rs.3.954 billion during same period last year.

In August this year, the revenue generation position was Rs. 1.823 billion while it was Rs.1.406 billion during same month previous year, during September this year Rs.1.633 billion were generated as compared to Rs. 1.147 billion last year and during October this year the department generated Rs. 1.862 billion as compared to Rs. 1.41 billion during the same month last year.

The difference of revenues generated by the department during the period in both the years was Rs. 1.365 billion.

In public facilitation area during the period, the department made all efforts to provide more facilities to the travelling public at the Railway stations as well as in the running trains.

The waiting areas were improved at major stations while standard of food was also improved through joint checking of Provincial Food Department and deputing of cleanliness staff with the running trains.

Besides this, rationalization of work force is in process and policy of right person for right job has been introduced.

Moreover, the embezzlement cases have been pursued vigorously and NAB has been requested to accord priority to the cases. This would help enhance the good governance in the organization.

Source: APP