7 days ago
Vande Bharat Has The Highest Fares, But This Train Is India's Biggest Moneymaker
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The Bengaluru Rajdhani tops Indian Railways' earnings, outpacing the popular Vande Bharat Express, despite the latter's high fares and widespread popularity
When it comes to notable trains under Indian Railways, the Vande Bharat Express is often the first to come to mind. Known for its speed, comfort, and modern facilities, it has gained immense popularity among passengers. This popularity, however, comes at a price; Vande Bharat fares are approximately 33% higher than those of premium trains such as the Shatabdi and Rajdhani.
Despite the steep ticket prices, the Vande Bharat Express is proving to be a financially beneficial venture for Indian Railways. There are currently 114 Vande Bharat trains in service across the country, with the exception of the northeastern states. Many of these routes boast occupancy rates exceeding 100%, reflecting strong demand.
Bengaluru Rajdhani Leads In Earnings
While Vande Bharat might appear to be the top revenue generator, this is not entirely accurate. In fact, the Bengaluru Rajdhani Express holds the title of the highest-earning train for Indian Railways.
This train, number 22692, which operates between Hazrat Nizamuddin (Delhi) and Bengaluru, Karnataka, is a major money-spinner. It carries over 5.09 lakh passengers annually and has generated a staggering Rs 176 crore in revenue. Interestingly, it does not depart from New Delhi or Old Delhi stations, but rather from Nizamuddin station.
Although the Delhi – Mumbai and Delhi – Howrah routes are known for being among the busiest in the country, they do not feature among the top three in terms of revenue.
The second position on the earnings chart is held by the Sealdah Rajdhani Express (train number 12314), which runs between New Delhi and Sealdah (Kolkata). It records 509,164 passengers per year, generating Rs 128.8 crore in revenue.
Following closely is the New Delhi – Dibrugarh Rajdhani, earning Rs 126.3 crore annually, making it the third-highest revenue-generating train for Indian Railways.
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