Southern Railway Introduces 15-Minute Advance Booking for Vande Bharat Trains
Southern Railway has introduced a significant enhancement to its Vande Bharat Express services, allowing passengers to book available seats up to 15 minutes before departure from en route stations. This progressive move, effective from July 17, is designed to offer greater travel flexibility, minimise the incidence of vacant seats on popular routes, and optimise the utilisation of high-speed rail assets. The initiative underscores a commitment to efficient resource management and aims to bolster the appeal of eco-friendly public transport, contributing to more sustainable and accessible urban and inter-city connectivity.
The new current booking option applies to the Mangaluru Central–Thiruvananthapuram Central (20631) and its return route (20632), alongside six other prominent Vande Bharat Express services operating under the Southern Railway division. This policy revision marks a departure from previous norms, where vacant seats on these premium trains remained unsold once the train had departed its originating station. Such a system often led to underutilised capacity, even on high-demand corridors, representing a missed opportunity for both revenue generation and public service.
This strategic policy adjustment is poised to deliver multifaceted benefits. For business travellers and tourists, the enhanced flexibility supports spontaneous travel plans, accommodating unforeseen changes in itineraries or last-minute decisions. This agility makes high-speed rail a more competitive and convenient option against other modes of transport. By ensuring that seats are filled right up to the point of departure from intermediate stations, the railway system maximises its operational efficiency, translating directly into a more productive use of valuable public resources. From an environmental perspective, optimising train occupancy on Vande Bharat services contributes directly to a zero-net carbon agenda. Every filled seat on a high-speed electric train reduces the likelihood of individuals opting for more carbon-intensive private vehicle travel or short-haul flights. This efficient use of existing rail infrastructure amplifies the inherent eco-friendly advantages of modern train travel, playing a crucial role in lowering overall transportation-related emissions and fostering a greener mobility ecosystem across the nation.
Furthermore, this initiative promotes greater equity in access to premium rail services. By making tickets available closer to departure times, it democratises access to Vande Bharat trains for a wider segment of the population, including those who may not be able to plan their journeys far in advance. This move helps to ensure that the benefits of advanced public transport are more broadly distributed, aligning with the vision of creating inclusive and gender-neutral cities where efficient mobility options are available to all citizens.
Should this current booking system prove successful in enhancing passenger convenience and optimising train occupancy within the Southern Railway network, Indian Railways may consider expanding the initiative nationwide.
Such a widespread adoption would represent a transformative shift in ticketing practices across the vast Indian railway network, further solidifying rail’s position as the backbone of inter-city travel. This forward-looking approach to ticketing and resource management is vital for the continued evolution of India’s rail infrastructure towards a more responsive, sustainable, and passenger-centric future.
