Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Feb 7: The occupancy on the Mangaluru Central-Madgaon-Mangaluru Central Vande Express has recorded less than 50% within a month of commencement of operation.

Train number 20646 Mangaluru Central-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express that was introduced on December 30, 2023, had reported 37% occupancy till January 26 while on its return journey Train number 20645 recorded a occupancy of 43%.

The Mangaluru-Madgaon Vande Bharat train carried 4,355 passengers and on its return journey it carried 5,194 passengers on 23 round trips, railway official figures show. The total available seats from end-to-end in each direction is 12,190 that includes 1,196 executive class tickets.

Passengers are now of the view that the Mangaluru-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express should be extended to Mumbai. They have also urged the Indian Railways to increase the number of coaches to 16 from 8 following the extension of the service up to Mumbai CSMT by amalgamating the Mumbai CSMT-Madgaon Vande Bharat Express with the Mangaluru Central-Madgaon train.