Sale of tickets for Pakistan's first ever business train in the private sector commenced on Saturday while its service would start from January 15 2012. Pakistan Railways Chairman, Muhammad Arif Azeem booked a ticket from Lahore to Karachi at a specially built modern booking booth at Lahore Railway Station. Mian Shafqat Ali was also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, PR chairman said it would be a successful example of public-private partnership. Railways would provide all possible support to make this project a success. "International standard facilitates will be provided to the passengers in this train, which will be operated between Lahore and Karachi, said organisers of train service.
According to the agreement, food and catering service for the passengers in the lounges and Business Train would be provided by Four Brothers. The train would consist of nine business-class air-conditioned coaches, with a journey time of 18 hours. It is expected that mostly business community would travel through the train.
The PR management expects that the department will earn Rs 1.15 billion per year through this project. Four Brothers International Private Limited, a private company invested Rs 225.786 million to bring substantive changes to value adding in passenger services. Besides the booking booth, the company has built a special passenger Lounge at the city's main station, which was inaugurated by the General Manager (Operations) Saeed Akhtar recently.