Massive Response for New Vande Bharat Service
The newly launched Vande Bharat Express connecting Ernakulam in Kerala with KSR Bengaluru in Karnataka has witnessed an unprecedented public response, with tickets being completely sold out within just hours of the booking window opening. The tremendous demand demonstrates the popularity of this semi-high-speed rail service among travelers on this busy route.
Booking Status and Ticket Details
According to the IRCTC ticket booking portal, tickets for train number 26652 Ernakulam–KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat were fully booked rapidly. The Executive Chair Car category is reportedly waitlisted for the next 10 days, indicating a surge in premium travel demand. Meanwhile, AC Chair Car tickets for the commercial run starting November 11 have also been snapped up. For the inaugural journey on November 11, fewer than 50 seats remained available as of the evening of November 8.
The train, flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi via video conferencing from Varanasi, marks a significant addition to Kerala's rail infrastructure, being the third Vande Bharat Express for the state. The service will be operated and maintained by the Southern Railway (SR) zone.
Route, Timings, and Fare Structure
The eight-coach train, numbered 26651/26652, will traverse the Coimbatore and Palakkad route. During its journey, it will make stops at seven key stations: Krishnarajapuram, Salem, Erode, Tiruppur, Coimbatore, Palakkad, and Thrissur.
For its commercial schedule, train number 26651 will depart from KSR Bengaluru at 05:10 hours and arrive at Ernakulam at 13:50 hours. On its return leg, train number 26652 will leave Ernakulam at 14:20 hours to reach KSR Bengaluru at 23:00 hours.
The fare for a journey in the AC Chair Car is set at Rs 1,615, while a ticket for the more spacious Executive Chair Car costs Rs 2,980. The swift sell-out of tickets across both classes underscores the high anticipation and need for fast, efficient connectivity between these two major South Indian hubs.
