Train 18 Renamed As Vande Bharat Express, Fares 40-50% More Than That Of Shatabdi

Train 18, the semi high speed train has been renamed as Vande Bharat Express given its made-in-India status, Union Railway Minister Piyush Goyal said on Sunday.

Starting from its luxurious design to swanky passenger seats, the bullet project was completed within a record breaking time of only 18 months hence, its name Train18! The 16-coach fully air-conditioned train, driven by a self-propulsion module, can run at a speed of up to 160 kmph and comes with technical features for enhanced quick acceleration.

"It is completely made in India and various names were suggested by the general public but we have decided to name it Vande Bharat Express. A gift on the occasion of the Republic Day to people. Will request the prime minister to flag it off," he was quoted as saying by News18.

The train has been undergoing a lot of trial runs and safety clearances and is likely to operate between New Delhi and PM ModiĄ¯s Lok Sabha constituency Varanasi.

Photo: BCCL/Train 18

Train 18 is being touted as a successor to the prestigious 30-year-old Shatabdi Express. And so its fares will also succeed the price of Shatabdi Express. As per IANS, Train 18 fares will be around 40-50 percent higher than Executive and Chair Class fares of Shatabdi Express.

According to officials, the train obtained its final clearance of the Electrical Inspector to the Government (EIG) on Thursday and the administration has therefore, approached PMO seeking time for the inaugural run of the train. It is expected to be flagged off after the annual budget presentation.

Photo: BCCL/ Train 18 Interior

Reportedly, Executive class fare would be around Rs 2,800 and Rs 2,900 while that of the Chair Car would be between Rs 1,600 and Rs 1,700. The train will cover a stretch of 755 km in eight hours with stopovers at Prayagraj and Kanpur. It will be the fastest train enroute.

The gleaming, blue-nosed train has a cone-shaped frontage, like a bullet train.

It comes fitted with amenities on par with the best in the world - from onboard WiFi to GPS-based passenger information system, 'touch-free' bio-vacuum toilets, LED lighting, mobile charging points, and a climate control system that would adjust the temperature according to occupancy and weather. It is also the first long-distance train without a separate locomotive or engine.