Railways issue SOPs for passengers as service resume tomorrow

• In the first phase, 30 trains are being run from all four provinces.

The Railway department has issued SOPs for train passengers, as train operations resume after two months from tomorrow (Wednesday).

As per details, in the first phase, 30 trains are being run from all four provinces, informed Deputy Superintendent Railways Amir Nisar. He said that the first train Pakistan Express will leave from Rawalpindi for Karachi at 6 am tomorrow and the second train will leave Rawalpindi for Lahore at 7 am tomorrow, meanwhile the third train will leave Lahore for Rawalpindi at 7.30 am.

The development comes after Minister for Railways, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad, said that Prime Minister Imran Khan had allowed to “partially resume train service from May 20 on the condition that the SOPs were adhered to as the country was yet to overcome the challenge of coronavirus”.

DS Railways said that SOPs would be strictly enforced during train service, passengers should arrive at the station one hour earlier and no passenger's relative friend would be allowed to enter the station premises.

Amir Nisar said that the trains will run on 60 percent capacity, whereas, the remaining 40pc seats will remain vacant. Passengers will need to wear masks, whereas, sanitizers will be provided by the railways.

In case of not adhering to the coronavirus SOPs a passenger will be fined Rs 500 for the first violation, the fine would increase to Rs 1,000 on the second violation, and if the passenger violates the SOPs for the third time, they will be taken off the train.

According to DS Railway, ticket sales will be online and reservation offices will remain closed.