PM Modi flags off Vande Bharat Express from Bengaluru to Chennai: All you need to know

Ticket rates

Including catering, the fare from Mysuru to Bengaluru has been priced at Rs 720 for a chair car (CC) and Rs 1,215 for executive chair car (EC); while from Bengaluru to Mysuru, it is Rs 515 and Rs 985 for CC and EC, respectively.

From Chennai to Mysuru, the rates will be Rs 1,200 for CC and Rs 2,295 for EC; while from Mysuru to Chennai, it will be Rs 1,365 and Rs 2,485 for CC and EC, respectively, including catering.

As per the price list released by the railways, the lowest fare on the VB Express on this route is between Rs 495 (CC) between Katapadi and Chennai, while the highest fare listed is from Mysuru to Chennai (EC) at Rs 2,485.

Price list

The South Western Railway (SWR) said reservations for the train have begun and the public can book tickets. The VB train (20607) will leave Chennai Central at 5.50 am, reach Bengaluru at 10.20 am, and is expected to arrive in Mysuru at 12.20 pm (total travel time: 6 hours 30 minutes). On its return journey, 20608 VB Express will leave Mysuru at 1.05 pm, reach KSR Bengaluru City at 2.55 pm and arrive in Chennai at 7.30 pm (total travel time: 6 hours 35 minutes).

The train, with 14 chair cars and two executive chair cars, will have automatic doors, a GPS-based audiovisual passenger information system, Wi-Fi hotspot, and will be 20 minutes faster than Shatabdi Express. Like Shatabdi Express, VB Express will not have dynamic pricing. It will run at a speed of 75-77 kmph due to speed restrictions and curves, and will be the slowest VB Express in the country.

Improved safety features, enhanced comfort

Equipped with the KAVACH train collision avoidance system for enhanced safety in operations, the Vande Bharat Express has improved safety features, including four emergency windows in each coach. There are four platform-side cameras, including rear-view cameras, outside the coach.

Fire safety measures include aerosol-based fire detection and suppression system in all electrical cubicles and toilets. Superior flood-proofing has also been provided for under-slung electrical equipment to withstand floods up to 650 mm in height. The train will also have four emergency lights in each coach in case of electric failure.

Enhanced riding comfort has also been ensured for passengers with side recliner seat facility for all classes, while executive coaches have the added feature of 180-degree rotating seats. The coaches also have 32-inch LCD TVs and bio-vacuum toilets with touch-free amenities. Besides, they have finer heat ventilation and air conditioning control through higher-efficiency compressor with UV lamp for germ-free supply of air.

The Vande Bharat Express train, which takes just 140 seconds to reach a speed of 160 kmph, also has driver-guard communication facility with voice recording. There are two signal exchange lights on the coaches for exchange of signals with stations.

The train, manufactured indigenously at the Integral Coach Factory at Perambur in Chennai, is a testimony to the capability of Indian engineers under the Make in India initiative, the SWR said.