Expressions of Intent to run freight, passenger trains to be called in June

Expressions of Intent (EoIs) for operation of freight and passengers trains by the private sector on Pakistan Railways infrastructure will be called in the middle of June 2005, sources told Business Recorder here on Sunday. They said that pre-bid meetings will be held with the intending parties one-month before calling the tenders, and the private sector is expected to run trains during next FY.
Under the new public-private sector participation scheme, private operators can arrange their own locomotives and wagons from abroad by purchasing/hiring and the rolling stock on lease/purchase from anywhere in Pakistan besides requisite PR personnel.
Sources said that operations right may be contracted for 20 years, extendable by mutual agreement, and private investment may be protected by government guarantees.