Indian Railways is launching a new Vande Bharat train that will connect Mumbai and Mangaluru directly. This plan aims to improve operations and boost the number of passengers.
Right now, the Mumbai-Goa and the Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat trains run separately. Officials believe combining these two routes into a single Mumbai-Mangaluru service will make travel faster and more efficient. Initially, the Mumbai-Goa train had around 90% of its seats filled, but that has since dropped to about 70%. In contrast, the Mangaluru-Goa route often sees occupancy rates below 40%. Although there were plans to extend the Mangaluru-Goa service to Kozhikode to draw more passengers, that idea was scrapped due to local political resistance.
Improving Efficiency with a New Route
Merging these two routes is expected to increase occupancy and enhance efficiency. The new train will take approximately 12 hours to cover the distance from Mumbai to Mangaluru. This change aims to cater to the growing demand for better rail connectivity between these two cities. Passengers and stakeholders have been advocating for improved transport options, and this step is a response to those calls.
Benefits for Travelers
The direct Vande Bharat service will offer several new advantages:
- Faster Travel: The direct route will eliminate layovers and unnecessary stops, making trips quicker.
- Convenience: No more switching trains at Goa means a smoother ride for passengers traveling between Mumbai and Mangaluru.
- Better Occupancy Rates: By combining two trains with moderate demand, Indian Railways expects to fill more seats.
Next Steps for Implementation
Discussions are underway to finalize the schedule and stopping points for the new Mumbai-Mangaluru route. Indian Railways is eager to roll out this service soon, emphasizing improved passenger experience and occupancy rates.
According to recent data, train travel in India is on the rise, with increasing numbers of people preferring rail for long-distance journeys. This trend highlights the need for more efficient routes and services. In fact, a recent survey showed that about 65% of travelers prefer direct connections over transfers.
With this new Vande Bharat service, passengers can look forward to quicker, more comfortable travel between Mumbai and Mangaluru.
For more insights into rail travel trends in India, you can visit the Indian Railways website.
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Source linkIndian Railways, Vande Bharat, Mumbai, Mangaluru, Mumbai-Goa,