Vande Bharat trains have more occupancy on Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru route
By Arun Kumar Das
NEW DELHI: Vande Bharat trains recorded highest occupancy rate in the financial year 2025-26, with Chair Car services reporting an overall occupancy rate of 99.10 per cent, according to Railway Ministry data.
Vande Bharat, Indian Railways premier services, introduced in 2019 to improve passenger travel experience while reducing travel time, now operates across several routes in the country, with more than 160 services in operation.
While Vande Bharat Chair car service has clocked over 99 per cent occupancy rate, the country’s first Vande Bharat Sleeper service, launched in January 2026 between Howrah and Kamakhya, registered a consolidated occupancy of 114.54 per cent during FY26.
Thiruvananthapuram-Mangaluru Vande Bharat Express records highest occupancy
The Vande Bharat service connecting Thiruvananthapuram Central and Mangaluru Central recorded the highest passenger occupancy among all such services in FY26, at 189.35 per cent, according to the Railway Ministry data.
Occupancy rates exceeding 100 per cent happen because a single seat/berth can be occupied by different passengers across different legs of the same journey.
Manufactured at the Integral Coach Factory (ICF) in Chennai, Vande Bharat trains feature modern coaches, advanced safety systems and upgraded passenger-friendly amenities. The services are designed to reduce journey times and improve connectivity between cities.
According to the official, train number 20631, which runs from Mangaluru Central to Thiruvananthapuram Central, recorded an occupancy rate of 174.77 per cent. Its return service, train number 20632, operating from Thiruvananthapuram Central to Mangaluru Central, registered an occupancy of 189.35 per cent.
Vande Bharat occupancy on Varanasi-Delhi route
Two pairs of Vande Bharat Chair Car services and one pair of Vande Bharat Sleeper services currently operate on the Delhi-Varanasi route. The Sleeper service was launched on October 31, 2026.
Sharing the occupancy figures for the two pairs of Chair Car services in FY26, the Railway official said train number 22415, operating from Varanasi to New Delhi, recorded an occupancy of 117.26 per cent. Its return service, train number 22416, registered 114.05 per cent.
The other pair also reported occupancy levels above 115 per cent. Train number 22435, running from Varanasi to New Delhi, recorded 117.25 per cent occupancy, while train number 22436, operating on the New Delhi-Varanasi route, registered 115.19 per cent.
The data reflects strong passenger occupancy across Vande Bharat services during FY 2025–26, with the Mangaluru Central–Thiruvananthapuram Central service recording particularly high occupancy. (BVI)
