In a major relief for thousands of interstate commuters planning travel between Karnataka and Kerala for the upcoming Onam festival season, South Western Railway (SWR) has announced the extension of several special train services. The extension covers critical routes connecting Hubballi and Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal (SMVT) Bengaluru with Kollam Junction and Thiruvananthapuram North (Kochuveli).
According to an official notification released by SWR, all extended special services will continue to operate with their existing schedules, commercial stoppages, and coach compositions, running four additional trips each throughout September 2026.
| Train No. & Description | Day of Service | Extended Period (From – To) | Additional Trips |
| 07313 Hubballi – Kollam Special | Sunday | 06.09.2026 to 27.09.2026 | 4 Trips |
| 07314 Kollam – Hubballi Special | Monday | 07.09.2026 to 28.09.2026 | 4 Trips |
| 06523 SMVT Bengaluru – Thiruvananthapuram North Special | Monday | 07.09.2026 to 28.09.2026 | 4 Trips |
| 06524 Thiruvananthapuram North – SMVT Bengaluru Special | Tuesday | 08.09.2026 to 29.09.2026 | 4 Trips |
| 06547 SMVT Bengaluru – Thiruvananthapuram North Special | Wednesday | 02.09.2026 to 23.09.2026 | 4 Trips |
| 06548 Thiruvananthapuram North – SMVT Bengaluru Special | Thursday | 03.09.2026 to 24.09.2026 | 4 Trips |
| 06555 SMVT Bengaluru – Thiruvananthapuram North Special | Friday | 04.09.2026 to 25.09.2026 | 4 Trips |
| 06556 Thiruvananthapuram North – SMVT Bengaluru Special | Sunday | 06.09.2026 to 27.09.2026 | 4 Trips |
Advance Reservation Schedule and Booking Guidelines
Southern Railway confirmed that advance ticket bookings for all extended train services will officially commence at 11:00 AM on August 6, 2026.
Commuters can secure tickets across computerised Passenger Reservation System (PRS) counters at railway stations or digitally via the official IRCTC website and mobile application. Given the high demand for travel between Bengaluru and Kerala during the Onam season, railway authorities have urged passengers to book early to avoid last-minute waiting lists.
Route Profiles and Key Stoppages
These special services serve as vital transit links connecting major IT and industrial hubs in Karnataka with key commercial centers in Kerala:
- Hubballi – Kollam Sector (07313 / 07314): Traverses major stations including Davangere, Arsikere, SMVT Bengaluru, Erode, Palakkad, Thrissur, Ernakulam Town, and Kottayam.
- SMVT Bengaluru – Thiruvananthapuram North Sector (06523/06524, 06547/06548, 06555/06556): Provides high-frequency connectivity covering Bangarapet, Salem, Erode, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Ernakulam, and Alappuzha/Kottayam corridors.
The decision to maintain existing coach compositions—combining AC, Sleeper, and General Unreserved coaches—ensures affordable options for all passenger categories during the high-demand festival rush.
