Vande Bharat Tickets: Great news for last-minute travelers! Now you can book tickets for the Vande Bharat Express train just 15 minutes before its departure. Southern Railway has introduced this new ‘current booking’ system for the convenience of passengers. Initially, this facility will be available on eight Vande Bharat Express trains under Southern Railway and may soon be extended nationwide.
How does the new system work?
Previously, once a train departed from its source station, tickets could no longer be booked from any intermediate station. This often resulted in vacant seats on the train, even when passengers were eager to book them. However, with this new system, passengers can book tickets online or from the station’s ticket counter up to 15 minutes before the train arrives at an intermediate station.
For example, if a Vande Bharat train is scheduled to arrive at Tiruchirappalli station at 9 AM, passengers can book their tickets until 8:45 AM, subject to seat availability. This system is not only convenient for passengers but will also benefit the railways by reducing the number of vacant seats and increasing the train’s occupancy rate.
Which trains will have this facility?
Initially, this new current booking system has been introduced on eight Vande Bharat trains of Southern Railway. They are:
- Mangaluru Central – Thiruvananthapuram Central (20631)
- Thiruvananthapuram Central – Mangaluru Central (20632)
- Chennai Egmore – Nagercoil (20627)
- Nagercoil – Chennai Egmore (20628)
- Coimbatore – Bengaluru Cantt (20642)
- Mangaluru Central – Madgaon
- Madurai – Bengaluru
- Chennai – Vijayawada
Benefits for passengers
This new system will provide much more convenience to passengers. It will be especially effective for those who make sudden travel plans. Previously, many had to cancel their journeys due to the unavailability of tickets, but now that problem will be largely resolved. This will save passengers’ time and reduce their hassle.
Railway officials believe that this initiative will not only benefit the passengers but also increase the revenue of the railways. If this trial is successful, this facility may soon be implemented in other Vande Bharat trains across the country.
