Kerala's Vande Bharat Services Shine in National Occupancy Rankings
Vande Bharat trains operating within Kerala have secured positions among the top 10 most popular premium services in India based on occupancy rates, with the Thiruvananthapuram to Mangaluru route emerging as the national leader. This achievement underscores the high demand for rail travel in the state, though passengers attribute it to a lack of alternative reliable train options.
Top Performers in Occupancy Charts
The Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Vande Bharat service boasts an impressive occupancy rate of 187.78%, ranking it number one in the country. Its return journey from Mangaluru to Thiruvananthapuram follows closely with 173% occupancy, securing the third position. Additionally, the Kasaragod-Thiruvananthapuram service holds the fourth spot with 172.87% occupancy, while the Thiruvananthapuram-Kasaragod route ranks seventh at 159.36%.
Passenger Perspectives on Popularity
While Indian Railways celebrates these figures as a testament to the premium service's appeal, travelers point to a critical shortage of convenient and dependable trains as the primary driver. Krishnakumar P of the Thrissur Railway Passengers Association explains that the high occupancy is largely due to segmented, local travel rather than end-to-end journeys. "Most passengers are using sections like Mangaluru to Kozhikode, Kozhikode to Ernakulam, and Ernakulam to Thiruvananthapuram," he noted, emphasizing the need for more inter-city passenger services.
Calls for Enhanced Rail Infrastructure
Krishnakumar advocates for the introduction of additional passenger trains, including 16-car MEMU services and AC MEMU trains on key routes such as Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam. He also suggests adding more AC chair car coaches and expanding train capacities where feasible, citing the underutilized potential of services like the Vande Bharat to Bengaluru, which remains below 20 coaches despite good patronage.
He further highlights that despite improvements in north Kerala's highways, passengers continue to prefer trains for their comfort and convenience, willing to pay premium fares. "The railways should speed up doubling work and modernize signals to enhance service quality," he added, addressing ongoing issues like recent delays on the Mangaluru Vande Bharat route.
Broader Implications for Rail Travel in Kerala
The high occupancy rates reflect significant travel demand across the state, particularly on weekdays and weekends between major hubs like Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam, Kozhikode, and Kannur. With existing night and day services often fully booked, passengers urge the railways to recognize this trend as a clear indicator for expanding inter-city and local rail options to better serve the commuting public.
