Bengaluru: Three years after its launch, South India's first Vande Bharat Express continues to surge in popularity. The Mysuru-Chennai service (train numbers 20607/20608), flagged off on November 11, 2022, remains Bengaluru's most successful semi-high-speed train, generating the highest revenue among all Vande Bharat services connected to the city, according to data released by South Western Railway (SWR).
Chennai-Mysuru service leads in bookings
The Chennai-Mysuru service, which passes through Bengaluru, recorded an average booking rate of 119.8% in 2025-26. Over 4 lakh passengers traveled on this route in the last fiscal year, contributing Rs 41.2 crore in revenue. The return journey from Mysuru to Chennai closely followed, carrying 3.9 lakh passengers and generating Rs 39.6 crore.
Driven by strong demand, the railways introduced a second Vande Bharat (train numbers 20663/20664) on the same corridor. This additional Mysuru-Chennai service has become the most overbooked Vande Bharat routed via Bengaluru, achieving a 127% booking rate while ferrying over 2 lakh passengers.
Bengaluru-Hyderabad Vande Bharat performs well
The Bengaluru-Hyderabad Vande Bharat is also performing strongly. Operating with 16-coach rakes, the Yeswanthpur-Kacheguda service maintains around 90% occupancy in both directions and contributes nearly Rs 76 crore in combined revenue annually. "Just like the Chennai one, the Hyderabad Vande Bharat initially had more than 100% occupancy. After its conversion to a 16-car rake, the numbers have slightly dipped, but the revenue is almost similar," a senior SWR official told TOI.
Belagavi and Madurai services struggle
However, certain routes through Bengaluru face the opposite fortunes. The recently-launched Bengaluru-Belagavi Vande Bharat struggles with ridership. The service starting from Belagavi has the lowest booking percentage of 64.3%, generating just Rs 8.9 crore in revenue between August 2025 and April 2026. Though the service from Bengaluru to Belagavi has a slightly better booking rate of 86%, it is yet to become a passenger favourite.
According to SWR, the Belagavi-Bengaluru service carried more than 5,300 passengers in August, rising to 7,491 in September, and peaking at 9,273 in October. Sources also emphasize that the evening departure timing from Belagavi has affected bookings. "Bookings improved from 55% to 67%. Earnings also increased monthly," the zone said, drawing parallels to the Kalaburagi route, which climbed to 93% occupancy after an initial 42% when it started.
Another service struggling to gain popularity is the Bengaluru-Madurai Vande Bharat. From 312 trips completed in the past fiscal year, the service generated an underwhelming booking percentage of 68.5%. The return direction saw a slight improvement to 78.9%, but is yet to match the figures of other trains on the route.
Ernakulam service reflects popularity
If there is a semi-high-speed train that could match the popularity of the Chennai Vande Bharat, it is its Ernakulam counterpart. Launched in November last year, the train has already carried more than 1.7 lakh passengers across both directions until March.
Within five months, the service earned the railways over Rs 10 crore in revenue in each direction, with booking percentages crossing 120%. Despite significant demand and high waiting list numbers, the train still runs with an eight-coach rake. "That decision (to increase the number of coaches) should come from the Railway Board. As of now, there is no concrete movement," SWR's chief public relations officer Manjunath Kanamadi told TOI.
Upcoming Vande Bharat services
- Mumbai CSMT - KSR Bengaluru sleeper: To be flagged off by August
- Bengaluru-Madgaon: Proposed
- Bengaluru-Mangaluru: Approved by ministry, awaiting notification
Most sought-after services (2025-26 data)
| Service | Trips | Booking % | Revenue (Rs cr) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai-Mysuru (20607) | 312 | 119.9 | 41.2 | 4.2 lakh |
| Mysuru-Chennai (20608) | 312 | 111.4 | 39.6 | 3.9 lakh |
| Chennai-Mysuru (20664) | 313 | 89.8 | 21 | 1.9 lakh |
| Mysuru-Chennai (20663) | 313 | 127 | 20.2 | 2.1 lakh |
| Hyderabad-B'luru | 313 | 89.7 | 37.7 | 2.7 lakh |
| B'luru-Hyderabad | 313 | 90.6 | 39.3 | 2.7 lakh |
| Ernakulam-B'luru | 121 | 141.7 | 11.1 | 90,885 |
| B'luru-Ernakulam | 121 | 126.9 | 10.3 | 81,418 |
Less popular routes (2025-26 data)
| Service | Trips | Booking % | Revenue (Rs cr) | Passengers |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| B'luru-B'gavi | 199 | 86.2 | 11.4 | 90,877 |
| B'gavi-B'luru | 199 | 64.3 | 8.9 | 67,821 |
| B'luru-Madurai | 312 | 78.9 | 26.9 | 2.1 lakh |
| Madurai-B'luru | 312 | 68.5 | 22.3 | 1.9 lakh |
Figures for 2025-26. Source: SWR.
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About the Author: Anush S is a Correspondent in Bengaluru with interests in human rights and issues of the marginalised. His enthusiasm extends to sports and politics. He covers a wide range of issues from crime to business including longform stories.
