In the past, the catering facilities were pathetic, which are now improved by giving contract to the well known firms, an official in the Ministry of Railways told APP here on Wednesday.

“Facilities like waiting room, refreshment room, vending stall, book stall, drinking water, police help centre and medical first aid are being provided at all important stations,” he added.

The official said handicapped passengers were being provided with wheelchairs and special counters.

Railways take care of its passengers and with each passing day the department was trying its best to make the their journey easy and economical, he said.

He said Railways has introduced new passenger reservation system because old oracle based system is obsolete and had introduced e-ticketing system, adding that now passengers are able to book their tickets via Internet and mobile phones.

Pakistan Railways has introduced the duplicate ticket system, a major step to ease the passengers in the country. Previously, if a passenger lost his rail ticket, he would have to purchase the new ticket again by paying full payment but now he would be issued the new ticket without repayment.