Ernakulam-Bengaluru Vande Bharat to get 16 coaches from Aug 17

The Bengaluru-Ernakulam Vande Bharat Express will operate with 16 coaches from August 17, replacing the existing eight-coach configuration. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the expansion in the Lok Sabha in response to a demand from MP Hibi Eden, who had sought an increase to 20 coaches. The Hindu reports that the minister confirmed the augmentation to 16 coaches.

Mathrubhumi adds that the move comes ahead of the Onam travel season, when thousands travel between Bengaluru and Kerala. The revised schedule has the Vande Bharat departing Bengaluru at 5:50 am and reaching Ernakulam South at 1:50 pm, with the return service leaving Ernakulam at 2:20 pm and arriving in Bengaluru at 11:00 pm. The extra coaches are expected to ease pressure on the popular route without requiring a new service.