Karakoram Express upgraded 20 coach train has returned to the Lahore to Karachi route, with new coaches, a first ever AC sleeper coach, and private sector management. The upgraded train was formally launched at Lahore Railway Station, and it now runs every day between the two cities. For passengers who travel this busy route, it is the biggest change to the service in years.
The Karakoram Express Prime Rail private management is the new model for the train. Pakistan Railways has handed the commercial management of the train to Prime Rail, a private company, for an annual amount of Rs3.9015 billion. The train is the 41-Up service from Karachi to Lahore and the 42-Down service from Lahore to Karachi. The idea is that a private operator will run the service better, keep the coaches clean, and offer better food and service than the old state run model.
The train has 20 coaches in total. The rake includes 10 economy class coaches, two AC business class coaches, two AC standard coaches, one AC sleeper coach, a power van, a premium lounge, a brake van and two luggage vans. The AC sleeper coach is new for this train, and it gives passengers a bed for the overnight journey instead of a seat. The train also has a premium lounge, which is meant for passengers who want more comfort while they wait and travel.
The Karakoram Express Lahore Karachi 19 hours journey is the time the train takes for the full trip. The train departs daily at 3pm from both Lahore and Karachi, and it reaches the other end in about 19 hours. It runs on the Main Line-1, which is the main railway line between the two cities. The stops on the way are Raiwind, Sahiwal, Khanewal, Bahawalpur, Rohri, Nawabshah, Hyderabad, Landhi and Drigh Road. Three of those stops, Drigh Road, Landhi and Nawabshah, are new for this train.
The Karakoram Express fare Rs12600 AC sleeper is the price for the most expensive class during the discount period. The fares announced for the promotional period are Rs12,600 for AC sleeper, Rs9,550 for AC business, Rs7,550 for AC standard, and Rs4,150 for economy class. These are the fares after the discount, and they are the prices that passengers will pay if they book during the promotional period. After that period ends, the fares may change, so passengers should check the booking office or the official channels before they travel.
The Karakoram Express 25 percent discount November 6 is the offer that came with the launch. Pakistan Railways announced a 25 percent discount on fares across all classes until 6 November, to mark the start of the new service. The discount makes the train cheaper than it would otherwise be, and it is meant to attract passengers to try the upgraded service. The first departure under private management left Karachi Cantt station on Friday, and the launch at Lahore station was held the same day.
The Pakistan Railways Karakoram Express CEO Hafeezullah inaugurated the train at Lahore Railway Station. The chief executive officer of Pakistan Railways, Muhammad Hafeezullah, formally launched the upgraded service, and a railway spokesperson said the train offers four travel classes and modern facilities. The spokesperson also said the train will run under a private sector arrangement, and that the aim is to improve the travel experience for passengers on one of the busiest long distance routes in the country.
The change is part of a wider push to improve train services in Pakistan. Pakistan Railways has been outsourcing trains to private operators, so that the service improves without the railway having to run everything itself. The Karakoram Express is one of the most important trains on the network, because it links the two largest cities in the country, and thousands of people travel between Lahore and Karachi every day by road, air and rail. A better train gives them another option, and it may take some passengers off the road.
For passengers, the test will be whether the service stays good after the launch. A new train with new coaches looks good on the first day, but passengers will judge it on punctuality, cleanliness, food, and the behaviour of the staff. The railway has also had trouble with delays, and it recently decided to bring back the old timetable from 10 November after a new timetable introduced on 15 October caused delays. The Karakoram Express will need to run on time to keep the passengers it attracts with the discount.
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