The indigenously manufactured Vande Bharat Express train sets is transforming rail travel in the country. So far, three Vande Bharat trains are running under the Southern Railway (SR).
The three Vande Bharat trains are-
Dr MGR Chennai Central – Mysuru – Dr MGR Chennai Central was inaugurated by Hon’ble Prime Minister on 11th November 2022, Chennai – Coimbatore – Chennai Vande Bharat was inaugurated on 8th April 2023 and Thiruvananthapuram Central – Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Central Vande Bharat was inaugurated on 25th April 2023.
All the three Vande Bharat trains have registered exceptional occupancy rates from the originating station as well as at enroute stations.
Note: Occupancy rate means the proportion of available seats used by passengers travelling on a specific train route including those who board and alight at intermediate stations.
Occupancy Rates
Train No. 20607/20608 Dr MGR Chennai Central –Mysuru Jn – Dr MGR Chennai Central Vande Bharat
This Vande Bharat service is a boon for passengers especially businessmen and general public who travel regularly on the Chennai – Bengaluru – Mysuru corridor.
The train ticks at a speed of 130 Kmph in the Chennai – Jolarpettai section. In total, the train saves 20-30 minutes of travel time from both ends. The train has enjoyed good patronage since introduction.
Train No.20607 Dr MGR Chennai Central –Mysuru Jn Vande Bharat Express has registered 130.48% occupancy during the current FY 2023-24 till 13.09.2023.
Train No.20608 Mysuru – Dr MGR Chennai Central Vande Bharat Express has registered 112.99% occupancy during the current FY 2023-24 till 13.09.2023.
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Train No. 20643/20644 Dr MGR Chennai Central – Coimbatore Jn – Dr MGR Chennai Central Vande Bharat
Connecting the ‘Manchester of the South’ Coimbatore with the capital city of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, this Vande Bharat service has greatly reduced the travel time of passengers of both the destinations by nearly an hour.
Welcomed by IT professionals, traders and businessmen from various textile and industrial units in and around Coimbatore, Salem, Erode and Tiruppur, the service is registering good patronage since introduction.
Train No.20643 Dr MGR Chennai Central –Coimbatore Jn Vande Bharat Express has registered 108.23% occupancy during the current FY 2023-24 till 13.09.2023.
Train No.20644 Coimbatore Jn – Dr MGR Chennai Central Vande Bharat Express has registered 104.60% occupancy during the current FY 2023-24 till 13.09.2023.
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Train No.20634/20633 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat trains
The Vande Bharat Express service between the capital city Thiruvananthapuram and historical town Kasaragod is the first Vande Bharat exclusively serving the state of Kerala. Reaching the destination in about 8 hrs and 5 minutes from both ends, this premium service has cut down the average travel time between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod by almost three hours.
The service interlinks almost the entire stretch of Kerala from South to North offering faster connectivity to enroute destinations such as Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Thrissur, Shoranur Junction, Kozhikode and Kannur.
Train No.20633 Kasaragod – Thiruvananthapuram Central Vande Bharat Express has registered 177.45% occupancy during the current FY 2023-24 till 13.09.2023.
Train No.20634 Thiruvananthapuram Central – Kasaragod Vande Bharat Express has registered 171.76% occupancy during the current FY 2023-24 till 13.09.2023.
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