Around 41.91 million passengers travelled by train during 2023-24 compared to 35.40 million in 2022-23 - an increase of 6.51 million in the annual count, according to the data of Pakistan Railways.

According to the data, a total passenger earning in the fiscal year 2023-24 was Rs47.712 billion, exceeding the budgetary target by a margin of Rs8.712 billion. Besides, there was an increase in earnings by Rs13.799 billion as compared to the earnings of the previous financial year 2022-23.

The revenue generated through “other means” in the fiscal year 2023-24 was Rs39.803 billion which includes freight, military traffic, property and land, scrap and others, it added.

The railway authorities are hopeful that the number of railway passengers will rise further during the upcoming year.

The department has installed ticket vending machines for purchasing tickets, information counters to guide and facilitate passengers, digital display boards for the arrival and departure of trains and provision of wheelchairs and ramps for disabled people.

“If a contractor is found selling substandard products, they are fined and issued a warning. Upon receiving three fines, the contractor’s agreement with Pakistan Railways is terminated,” it added.