Author: Qasim Ali

BPR of Pakistan Railway: “Reservation System of Pakistan Railway”Pakistan Railway bookings are now available through website, you can plan your journey

and can see which train is available to serve you, and then you can check seat availability

or can contact reservation offices in Pakistan. Before the initiation of Computerization of

Ticketing System in ten stations, the vast majority of Passengers do not purchases their

tickets in advance for return reservation. Because in manual practice this facility was not

available but after the automation the traveling passengers can well plan their journey

before commencing and may purchase tickets for their return traveling. This has caused

Railway management to collect the revenue in advance. Pakistan Railways has

introduced online ticketing reservation system at various stations in order to facilitate

passengers during journey. Recently electronic train monitoring boards have been

installed at 30 main railway stations in order to apprise the passengers regarding latest

position of running trains.

Recommendations for Pakistan Railway:

Pakistan railway reservation system needs process reengineering.

Scope: PKR needs to reengineer their ticketing and passenger control through a

completely Automatic Fare Collection system. The ticket, which could be a card or a

token, should be purchased from the Ticket Counter. The passenger then proceeds to one

of several gates that separate the Paid Area from the Unpaid Area. Here, the passenger

will hold the ticket close to the machine to the right of the gate. If valid, the gates will

open automatically, and the passenger can pass to the Paid Area. If not valid, then the

passenger will need to contact the Customer Service Staff. Such process can only be

reengineered via using bar code technology.

Travel Card:

Travel card should be introduced for frequent free independent travelers. Deposit facility

should be available everywhere in the country in banks just like utility bills. On travel

cards bonuses should be awarded on the basis of kilometers traveled by a passenger to

encourage existing customer.

Online Payments:

Online payments should be introduced via credit and debit cards, so traveler’s time of

visiting reservation offices can be minimized and service level can be increased.