Pakistan Railway's passenger service has improved its earning by Rs 270.7 million during the first half of the current financial year.
The passenger earning stood at Rs 6964.22 million during 2003 as against Rs 6227.316 million during 2002 showing an increase of Rs 736.900 million in earnings, official sources said on Monday.
However, earnings on account of goods transportation came down from Rs 4608.320 million during 2002 to Rs 4172.067 million during 2003, registering a drop of Rs 436.250 million.
Another drop of Rs 29.940 million on account of other coaching in which the Railway's revenue declined from Rs 601.644 million in 2002 to Rs 571.698 million during 2003, he added.
About deduction in case of cancellation of seats and berths, the sources said, these deductions were being made to arrest black marketing and loss to the Railway.
According to sources, deduction were recovered at the rate of 30 percent, 75 percent and 100 percent when cancellation was made 15 days before, 12 hours before, within 12 hours and after departure of trains respectively.
Responding to a question about closure of goods train, the sources said, the Railway deficit could not be reduced by closing the goods trains.
PR was transporting different commodities while, adequate terminal facilities were being provided for their expeditious handling, he said.
The godowns were being properly maintained and repaired where trains loads and handled. All the godowns were properly functional.