Pakistan Railways has moved the entire system to the Railway Automated Booking & Travel Assistance (RABTA) app in an effort to modernise the railway department’s operations.
In order to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Pakistan Railways through the use of information technology, the Federal Minister for Railways entered into a joint venture with two Chinese companies (IT).
The RABTA application, developed by railways in partnership with Chinese businesses, enables users to quickly and easily book a hotel, taxi, meal, or ticket.
On this occasion, Railway Minister Khawaja Saad Rafique said that the app will charge an additional Rs9 from the passenger on each railway ticket, while a discussion is underway with the federal government about the issue of excise duty on air tickets.
The federal minister further said that the application will also enable citizens to parcel booking and track train timings.
He said that this service is introduced on a revenue-sharing basis with China, and this app is an important step in improving the operational matters of Railways.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan Railways increased the railway fares on Feb 01 following the recent hike in petroleum products across the country.
According to details, the railway ministry raised the fares of trains by eight per cent with immediate effect. The fare increase will be applied to all trains and all classes, excluding Green Line.
In a statement, a Railways spokesman said that the recent increase in diesel prices put an additional burden of over Rs10 million per day, adding that in this regard, the ministry decided to raise the faires.
