Fares of AC Sleeper, Business and Standard classes and AC Parlour went up by 15 per cent and those of first class sleeper, economy and second classes by 5 per cent. Freight charges were increased by 8 per cent. - File photo

LAHORE: Passenger train fares will go up by 15 to 20 per cent on March 15, the Pakistan Railways notified on Monday.

Passenger fares will increase by 15 per cent while the hike will be 20 per cent for inter-city, mail and express trains.

A circular issued by railways authorities here directed all commercial assistants, commercial supervisors, superintendents and station masters, station superintendents, station managers and IT staff deputed in computerised offices to make arrangements to ensure revised fares were fed into computer systems.

From Jan 11 this year, railways has increased by 60 per cent its minimum passenger fare by merging seat reservation charges into the fare of all trains.

If a single journey from one station to another cost Rs25 till Jan 10, with the addition of Rs15 seat reservation charges the following day, the minimum charges rose to Rs40.

Luggage and parcel charges were increased by 30 per cent on Jan 21 this year.

On Feb 1 last year, railways had revised passenger fares for short distance and shuttle trains by 10 per cent, inter-city, mail and express by 15pc, non-stop by 20pc and freight charges by 20pc.

Passenger fares had been increased by 8 to 15 per cent and freight charges by 5 per cent in the last week of July 2010.

Fares of AC Sleeper, Business and Standard classes and AC Parlour went up by 15 per cent and those of first class sleeper, economy and second classes by 5 per cent. Freight charges were increased by 8 per cent.