Vande Bharat Express, also known as Train 18, is a semi-high-speed train service launched by Indian Railways in 2019. The train features state-of-the-art technology, such as automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, GPS-based passenger information system, and onboard Wi-Fi. The train can run at a maximum speed of 180 km/h, making it the fastest train in India.
However, the Vande Bharat Express currently has only chair car coaches, which limits its operational range and passenger comfort. To overcome this limitation, Indian Railways has planned to introduce sleeper coaches in the Vande Bharat trains, which will enable them to undertake long overnight journeys across the country.
Plan for Vande Bharat Sleeper Coaches
According to B G Mallya, General Manager of Integral Coach Factory (ICF), Chennai, the first prototype of the Vande Bharat sleeper coach will be rolled out in March 2024. The ICF is the production unit of Indian Railways that manufactured the first two rakes of Vande Bharat Express in 2019.
The Vande Bharat sleeper coach will have 16 coaches, of which 11 will be AC three-tier coaches, four will be second-class AC coaches, and one will be first-class AC coach. The number of coaches could be increased to 20-24, depending on the demand and route. The train will have a speed of 160 km/h, which is slightly lower than the chair car version but still faster than most other trains in India.
The Vande Bharat sleeper coach will have all the modern amenities and features of the chair car version, such as automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, GPS-based passenger information system, and onboard Wi-Fi. Additionally, the sleeper coach will have CCTV cameras, fire and smoke detection system, reading lights, charging points, and sliding doors for privacy.
Design of Vande Bharat Sleeper Coaches
The Vande Bharat sleeper coaches are designed with the aim of providing maximum comfort and convenience to the passengers. The coaches are spacious, well-ventilated, and aesthetically pleasing. The coaches have a modular design, which allows for easy replacement and maintenance of the components.
These sleeper coaches are equipped with advanced features, such as:
- Regenerative braking system: This system allows the train to recover the kinetic energy lost during braking and use it to power the train’s electrical systems, thereby reducing the energy consumption and carbon footprint of the train.
- Automatic train protection system: This system ensures the safety of the train by preventing collisions, derailments, and overspeeding. The system uses radio communication, trackside equipment, and onboard computers to monitor and control the train’s movement.
- Under-slung propulsion system: This system places the traction motors and other electrical equipment under the coach, instead of on the roof or inside the coach. This reduces the weight and noise of the coach, and increases the passenger capacity and comfort.
- Aerodynamic nose cone: This feature reduces the air resistance and drag of the train, and improves its speed and performance. The nose cone also has a driver’s cabin with a panoramic view and ergonomic controls.
Benefits of Vande Bharat Sleeper Coaches
The Vande Bharat sleeper coaches offer several benefits to the passengers, the railways, and the nation, such as:
- Reduced travel time: The Vande Bharat sleeper coaches can reduce travel time between major cities by 20-30%, compared to the conventional trains. For example, the travel time between Delhi and Mumbai can be reduced from 16 hours to 12 hours, and between Delhi and Chennai from 28 hours to 20 hours.
- Increased passenger comfort: The Vande Bharat sleeper coaches provide a comfortable and pleasant journey to the passengers, with features such as automatic doors, bio-vacuum toilets, GPS-based passenger information system, and onboard Wi-Fi. The passengers can also enjoy the privacy and convenience of the sliding doors, reading lights, and charging points in their berths.
- Improve operational efficiency: The Vande Bharat sleeper coaches have a high operational efficiency, as they can run on both electric and diesel tracks, and do not require a locomotive change at the terminals. The coaches also have a low maintenance cost, as they have a modular design and a regenerative braking system.
- Enhanced national pride: The Vande Bharat sleeper coaches are a symbol of the technological prowess and innovation of India, as they are manufactured indigenously with the collaboration of foreign partners. The coaches also reflect the cultural diversity and heritage of India, as they are named after the slogan “Vande Bharat,” which means “Hail India.”
Seating Capacity of Vande Bharat Sleeper Coach
According to the web search results, the seating capacity of Vande Bharat sleeper coaches varies depending on the number and type of coaches. The proposed sleeper coach train will have 16 air-conditioned compartments, of which 11 will be AC three-tier coaches, four will be second-class AC coaches, and one will be first-class AC coach. The 16-car trainset will have a seating capacity of 1,128 passengers. However, the number of coaches could be increased to 20-24, depending on the demand and route, which would increase the seating capacity accordingly.
Fare of Vande Bharat Sleeper Coaches
The fare of Vande Bharat sleeper coaches is not yet officially announced, as the trains are still under production and expected to be ready by 2024. However, based on the existing fare structure of Vande Bharat Express trains, which have only chair car coaches, we can estimate the possible fare range of the sleeper coaches.
According to the web search results, the fare of Vande Bharat Express trains varies depending on the route, distance, and class of travel. For example, the fare of the Delhi-Varanasi Vande Bharat Express train is Rs 1,760 for AC chair car and Rs 3,310 for executive class. The fare of the Delhi-Katra Vande Bharat Express train is Rs 1,630 for AC chair car and Rs 3,015 for executive class. The fare of the Delhi-Ajmer Vande Bharat Express train is Rs 1,470 for AC chair car and Rs 2,730 for executive class.
The fare of Vande Bharat Express trains is also subject to dynamic pricing, which means that the fare increases as the occupancy increases. The railways has recently announced that the fares of AC chair car and executive class of all trains, including Vande Bharat, will be reduced by up to 25%, depending on the occupancy. This means that the passengers can avail lower fares if they book their tickets in advance or travel during off-peak seasons.
Assuming that the fare of Vande Bharat sleeper coaches will be based on the same principles as the chair car coaches, we can estimate the fare range of the sleeper coaches by comparing them with the existing fares of other trains that have similar classes of travel. For example, the fare of the Rajdhani Express train, which is a fully air-conditioned train that runs at a speed of 130 km/h, is approximately Rs. 1,400 for AC three-tier, Rs. 1,900 for AC two-tier, and Rs. 3,250 for AC first class. The fare of the Duronto Express train, which is a non-stop train that runs at a speed of 130 km/h, is approximately Rs. 1,300 for AC three-tier, Rs. 1,800 for AC two-tier, and Rs. 3,100 for AC first class.
Therefore, you can expect that the fare of Vande Bharat sleeper coaches, which will run at a speed of 160 km/h, will be slightly higher than the fares of Rajdhani and Duronto trains, but lower than the fares of Vande Bharat chair car coaches. A possible fare range of Vande Bharat sleeper coaches could be:
- Rs. 1,500 to Rs 2,000 for AC three-tier
- Rs. 2,000 to Rs 2,500 for AC two-tier
- Rs. 3,000 to Rs 3,500 for AC first class
However, these are only rough estimates based on the available information and may change when the official fares are announced by the railways. The actual fare of Vande Bharat sleeper coaches will depend on various factors, such as the route, distance, demand, occupancy, taxes, and dynamic pricing. The passengers will have to wait for the official announcement of the fares by the railways before they can book their tickets for the Vande Bharat sleeper coaches.
The Vande Bharat sleeper coaches are a promising initiative by Indian Railways, which will revolutionize the rail travel experience in India, by offering high-speed, comfortable, and safe journey to the passengers. The Vande Bharat sleeper coaches will also boost the Make in India initiative, as they will create employment opportunities and promote the domestic industry. The Vande Bharat sleeper coaches will be a pride of India, as they will showcase the country’s achievements and aspirations to the world. Planning to travel? You can rely on Paytm Travel for all your travel needs. Paytm provides the best deals, cashback, and discounts on flights, buses, hotels, and more!
