Talking to APP, Division Commercial Officer Pakistan Railways, Rawalpindi Division, Raza Ali Habib said all arrangements have been finalized to relaunch Kohat Rail Car on Jan 24 while the train would be operated from Jan 25.
Earlier, the Railways had announced to relaunch the Rail Car on Jan 25 but, now it has been decided that its inauguration ceremony would be organized on Jan 24.
He informed that the Kohat-Rawalpindi Rail track has been rehabilitated besides renovating and rehabilitating four railway stations, two each in Rawalpindi and Peshawar divisions to facilitate the passengers of the Kohat Rail Car.
The groundwork for resumption of the service has been completed at a cost of Rs502 million. The service was abandoned in 2013.
Now, Pakistan Railways would relaunch the train service between Rawalpindi and Kohat to provide cheaper travelling facilities to the people of Kohat, he said adding, the train will have around 400 passengers capacity. It was suspended between the two cities due to financial crunch in the Pakistan Railways.
Now, the Pakistan Railways financial position is improving gradually and it has relaunched some other trains, he added.
The Kohat Rail Car is being restarted as former Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif had announced operation of the train last year during a public meeting held in Kohat.
The train will reach at its destination from Rawalpindi to Kohat within three hours and 30 minutes covering Golra Sharif, Fateh Jhang, Basal and Jand stations. It will start its journey from 7.30 am daily and reach at 11.00 am at Rawalpindi Railway Station.
Similarly, it will depart from Rawalpindi at 3.30 pm and reach at Kohat Railway Station at 7 pm. Kohat Rail Car would have economy class coaches with second class fare.
He further informed that a new ticket reservation office has also been established at platform number two of Rawalpindi Railway Station which would facilitate the passengers of Kohat Rail Car, Mehar Express and Hazara Express.
It would also be inaugurated on Jan 25. The reservation office would remain open round the clock. The office would have separate male and female waiting areas for the passengers.
According to Division Superintendent Railways of Rawalpindi Division, Abdul Malick, the Railways is making all out efforts to facilitate the passengers and the resumption of Kohat Rail Car service was demand of the public which is going to be fulfilled and it will ease travel between Rawalpindi and Kohat.