TBM Staff - Mumbai Mumbai-Goa passengers can expect to travel by the premium Vande Bharat Express train between CSMT and Madgaon from June. The train is expected to cut travel time by at least 45 minutes as compared to Tejas Express. Vande Bharat Express can run up to maximum speed of 160 kmph and has travel classes like Shatabdi Trainbut with better facilities. A senior official said, “Our tentative plan is to have morning departure from CSMT around 6am so it can reach in the afternoon at Madgaon, from where it will resume its return journey the same day to CSMT where it expected to arrive close to midnight. ” At present, Tejas Express departs from CSMT at 5. 50am and arrives at Madgaon at 2. 40 pm. The train takes almost 8 hours 40 minutes to cover the 765km distance. On its return, it leaves Madgaon at 3. 15 pm and arrives at CSMT at midnight. Tejas Express has two Vistadome coaches, 11 AC chair cars, one AC Executive Chair Car and two Luggage, generator cum brake vans. Vande Bharat Express has 16 AC coaches, of which two are executive class coaches.
The total seating capacity is 1,128 passengers. The 16-car Vande Bharat Express has eight motor coaches, intelligent braking system that enables better acceleration and deceleration and helps save travel time. This will be the fourth Vande Bharat to be operated from Mumbai. Two of these run on CR between CSMTSai Nagar Shirdi and CSMTPune-Solapur. The third operates between Mumbai Central and Gandhinagar on Western Railway. Vande Bharat Express offers a myriad of superior and aircraft-like travel experience. It is equipped with advanced state-of-the-art safety features, including indigenously developed train collision avoidance system. There are reclining seats in all classes while Executive Coaches have 180-degree rotating seats. Every coach has 32” screens giving passenger information and infotainment. (Source TOI)
