Islamabad, July 17, 2025: In another financial setback for passengers, Pakistan Railways has announced a two percent increase in train ticket prices, impacting all categories including Mail, Express, Inter-city, and passenger trains. The revised fares will take effect from Friday, July 18, 2025, and apply across the board.
This decision comes on the heels of a major diesel price surge of Rs. 11.37 per litre, severely straining the department’s operational costs. With Pakistan Railways consuming approximately 350,000 litres of diesel per day, the daily fuel expense has now increased by around Rs. 3.99 million, pushing the monthly fuel burden close to Rs. 119.5 million.
To mitigate these growing costs, the ministry plans to outsource various railway services, including the commercial operations of passenger trains. According to officials, over the last three years, the privatization of brake and luggage van operations has helped generate Rs. 3,959 million in revenue, showcasing the benefits of public-private collaboration.
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Despite financial challenges, Pakistan Railways has posted positive revenue growth, collecting Rs. 83 billion over the past 11 months. This marks a Rs. 6 billion increase compared to the same period last year. Out of the total revenue, Rs. 42 billion came from passenger services, Rs. 29 billion from freight, and the remaining Rs. 12 billion from other sources.
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Industry experts believe this train fare hike in July 2025 may be a short-term necessity, but it adds further pressure on daily commuters already grappling with inflation. Meanwhile, Pakistan Railways’ latest ticket price update is likely to stir public debate on the affordability of domestic travel.
