Kannur: Out of the 59 Vande Bharat Express trains currently operating across India, 17 are running with 100% occupancy, including two in Kerala. However, 13 of these semi-high-speed trains have seen up to half of their seats unoccupied, shedding light on varying demand across different routes.
In Kerala, both the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod and Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram Vande Bharat trains are operating at full capacity, with all 1016 and 474 seats, respectively, consistently filled. This reflects strong demand for the Vande Bharat service within the state and the surrounding regions.
On the other hand, the Mangaluru-Goa Vande Bharat route has experienced lower demand, with as many as 300 seats remaining vacant out of 474. One reason cited for this is the “excessive rate” of tickets along the Konkan route, which may have deterred passengers.
Additionally, three Vande Bharat trains, operating with 20 coaches, face challenges in filling seats. The Nagpur-Secunderabad route, for example, regularly sees 1118 of its 1328 seats unoccupied, highlighting significant underutilization.
Railway authorities believe that the issue stems from sanctioning Vande Bharat trains without fully considering the density and demand on certain routes. This mismatch between supply and demand has affected the efficiency of some services, prompting evaluations for future planning to optimize occupancy and service.
While the Vande Bharat Express has proven to be a highly popular mode of travel on several key routes, including those in Kerala, some trains are struggling with low occupancy due to route-specific challenges like pricing and demand. This highlights the need for a more strategic approach in planning future routes to ensure optimal utilization. Addressing these issues can help maximize the potential of this premium service and further enhance the overall passenger experience across the country.
