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Pak Business Express

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Pak Business Express
Overview
Service typeInter-city rail
StatusOperating
First service2012
Current operator(s)Pakistan Railways
Former operator(s)Four Brothers Private Limited
Websitehttps://www.pakrail.gov.pk/
Route
TerminiKarachi Cantonment
Lahore Junction
Distance travelled1,214 kilometres (754 mi)
Average journey time19 hours, 30 minutes
Service frequencyDaily each way
Train number(s)303UP (Karachi→Lahore)
304DN (Lahore→Karachi)
Line(s) usedKarachi–Peshawar Line
On-board services
Class(es)Economy Class
AC Standard
AC Business
Sleeping arrangementsAvailable
Catering facilitiesAvailable
Technical
Track gauge1,676 mm (5 ft 6 in)
Track owner(s)Pakistan Railways
Route map
Pak Business Express route map

The Pak Business Express (Urdu: پاک کاروبار اکسپريس ), often abbreviated as Business Express, is a daily express train service between in Pakistan between the cities of Karachi and Lahore, which is one of the busiest routes in the country.[1] It was inaugurated by the then Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani on 4 January 2012.[2][3][4][5]

The total traveling time of the route was 19 hours 30 minutes, on a total traveling distance of 1,214 kilometres (754 mi).[6]

History

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The Pak Business Express was the brainchild of the Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Initially, Pakistan Railways started it with the collaboration of a private company Four Brothers Private Limited. It was the first public–private partnership model in railways services in Pakistan.[7]

The service was launched when Pakistan Railways was facing financial issues owing to a host of challenges. These included the deterioration of infrastructure, the inability to purchase fuel from Pakistan State Oil due to exhausting its credit limit, liquidity constraints that led to delays in payment of its employees' salaries and pensions, and the destruction of railway facilities by angry mobs in 2007.[8]

According to the contract between the two parties, the Four Brothers Group had to pay Rs. 3.1 million to Pakistan Railways for each trip between Lahore and Karachi.[8] The private company provided modern facilities like LCD TVs, Wi-Fi, Internet, water dispensers, and lavish food on trains for the first time in Pakistan.[9]

Having originally been a luxury rail service, the Pak Business Express experienced low ridership numbers during its initial weeks. Of the 486 seats available, only about 150 used to be occupied, which barely covered the operational costs. This was attributed to the availability of cheaper and more frequent alternate modes of transport between the two cities. This lack of demand forced Four Brothers to introduce an economy class within a few weeks of its launch with a lower fare.[8]

However, due to a financial dispute on 29 October 2015, Pakistan Railways ended its joint venture with Four Brothers Private Limited and took control of Business Express. Now, this train is running under the management of Pakistan Railways.[10][11]

Route

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Station stops

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Equipment

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The train has AC Business, AC Standard, and Economy class coaches.[13][14]

References

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  1. ^ "Lahore to Karachi train latest ticket price November 2023". Pakistan Observer. 17 November 2023. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  2. ^ "Pakistan serves up first-class rail luxury". The Express Tribune. Agence France-Presse. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  3. ^ "Aboard the Pakistan Business Express". Dawn. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  4. ^ "Pakistan serves up first-class rail luxury". Dawn. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  5. ^ "PM inaugurates first Business Express | Pakistan Today". Pakistan Today. 4 February 2012. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  6. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Pak Business Express. Archived from the original on 23 June 2015. Retrieved 4 February 2012.
  7. ^ Haq, Shahram (29 May 2015). "Competition forces Pak Business Express to bring new features". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Haider, Murtaza (8 February 2012). "Four brothers and a train". Dawn. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Business Express to offer Wi-Fi service from tomorrow". Daily Times. 4 March 2012. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  10. ^ Sumra, Anwer (30 January 2013). "Pak Railways ready to take over Business Express". The Express Tribune. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  11. ^ Siddiqui, Zaheer Mahmood (29 October 2015). "PR takes control of Business Express". Dawn. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  12. ^ "Pak Business Express Time Table". pakinformation.com. April 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  13. ^ "PR adds coaches of two more classes in Business Train". Samaa TV. 9 December 2015. Retrieved 25 January 2023.
  14. ^ "Plan Journey". Pakistan Railways. Retrieved 6 January 2024.
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