KOCHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today virtually flagged off the new Ernakulam–KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express train, marking a significant addition to South India’s rail network.
The inaugural function was attended by Governor Rajendra Arlekar and Union Ministers George Kurian and Suresh Gopi. The inaugural special train departed at 8:50 AM and is scheduled to reach Bengaluru at 5:50 PM. Union Minister Suresh Gopi traveled on the train up to Thrissur.
This new service provides a fast and modern travel option, with detailed fares announced for major intermediate stations.
Vande Bharat Express Fares
The following table details the fares from various intermediate stations to Ernakulam and Bengaluru, with the Executive Chair Car (EC) fare listed in brackets.
| Route Segment (Towards Ernakulam) | Chair Car Fare (₹) | Executive Chair Car (EC) Fare (₹) |
| Salem | 566 | 1182 |
| Erode | 665 | 1383 |
| Tiruppur | 736 | 1534 |
| Coimbatore | 806 | 1681 |
| Palakkad | 876 | 1827 |
| Thrissur | 1009 | 2110 |
| Route Segment (Towards Bengaluru) | Chair Car Fare (₹) | Executive Chair Car (EC) Fare (₹) |
| Thrissur | 293 | 616 |
| Palakkad | 384 | 809 |
| Coimbatore | 472 | 991 |
| Tiruppur | 550 | 1152 |
| Erode | 617 | 1296 |
| Salem | 706 | 1470 |
| KR Puram | 1079 | 2257 |
Comparison with Other AC Trains
The fares for the new Vande Bharat service are positioned against existing AC ticket rates on other popular routes between Bengaluru and Ernakulam:
- Bengaluru–Ernakulam Intercity Express: AC Chair Car – ₹790.
- Bengaluru–Kanyakumari Express: Third AC Economy – ₹915, Third AC – ₹995, Second AC – ₹1410, First AC – ₹2350.
- Yeshvantapura–Thiruvananthapuram AC Express: Third AC – ₹1030, Second AC – ₹1440, First AC – ₹2405.
