Vande Bharat Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram Express to run with 16 coaches from May 22

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, May 10, 2025: Owing to high demand and patronage, the Southern Railway has decided to add eight more coaches to the Mangaluru Central-Thiruvananthapuram Central-Mangaluru Central Vande Bharat Express (Train No. 20631/632) with effect from May 22, 2025.

“At present the service runs with eight coaches, one executive class and seven chair car coaches. The Railways would add an equal number of coaches for respective classes making it a 16-car rake from the appointed date,” said Southern Railway. “Upon coach augmentation, the rake would have 14 chair car coaches and two executive class coaches.”

“Consequent to the augmentation of coaches, the passenger carrying capacity of the services would be enhanced. While the capacity of an eight-car rake was about 530 passengers, a 16-car rake could carry up to 1,128 passengers. The chair car has capacity to carry 78 passengers (44 in the first and the last coaches) while the executive class carries 52 passengers.

Another Vande Bharat Express operating between Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargod-Thiruvananthapuram (Train No. 20634/633) was already upgraded to a 20-car rake in January this year.

Extended in March 2024

Train No. 20631/632, initially operating between Thiruvananthapuram-Kasargod-Thiruvananthapuram was extended to Mangaluru Central on March 13, 2024 upon Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually flagging off the same. The service leaves Mangaluru Central at 6.25 a.m. to reach Thiruvananthapuram Central at 3.05 p.m. traversing 620 km distance in 8.40 hours with an average speed of 72 kmph.  

In the return direction, Train No. 20632 leaves Thiruvananthapuram Central at 4.05 p.m. to reach Mangaluru Central at 12.40 a.m. (past midnight) in 8.35 hours. The services operate on all days of the week, except Wednesdays.

Fares on Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram VB Express are kept at ₹1,615 for CC and ₹2,945 for EC classes. In the return journey, the fares are fixed at ₹1,575 and ₹2,910 respectively.

The Mangaluru-Thiruvananthapuram VB service became an instant hit as it covered the 620 km distance within nine hours while other express and superfast trains between the two cities take at least 13 hours for the same journey. Tourists and businessmen have extensively been using the services for their travel.