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India's first private train: Indian Railways operates a wide range of train services to cater to the needs of passengers. Keeping this in mind, the national transporter introduced the country’s first private train in 2019. However, the train is fully operated and maintained by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC).
India's first private train name, India's first private train route
The country’s first private train, the Tejas Express, operates on one of the most popular routes - New Delhi to Lucknow. It commenced its first commercial run on October 4, 2019. Within just a month of operation, IRCTC recorded an operational earning of around Rs 7.73 lakh from this Tejas Express service.
How much does India’s first private train ticket cost?
Even after five years of its launch, India’s first private train continues to charge higher fares than other premium services such as the Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Vande Bharat Express operating on the same route. Here’s a comparison of ticket prices between IRCTC’s New Delhi–Lucknow Tejas Express and these premium trains:
The IRCTC Tejas Express operating between New Delhi and Lucknow offers two classes of seating - AC Chair Car and Executive Chair Car. Similarly, the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat Express trains also feature the same seating options. However, the Rajdhani Express, being a long-distance train, offers only AC Sleeper classes instead.
IRCTC Tejas Express, India's first private train service ticket price
The fare for travelling between New Delhi and Lucknow on the IRCTC Tejas Express is Rs 1,679 for AC Chair Car and Rs 2,457 for Executive Chair Car. On the same route, the ticket price for the Shatabdi and Vande Bharat Express trains is Rs 1,255 for AC Chair Car, while Executive Chair Car fares are Rs 1,955 on the Shatabdi and Rs 2,415 on the Vande Bharat Express.
In comparison, the Rajdhani Express (New Delhi–Dibrugarh), which offers AC Third Tier, AC Second Tier, and AC First Class accommodations, charges Rs 1,590, Rs 2,105, and Rs 2,630 respectively for travel between New Delhi and Lucknow.
Indian Railways dynamic pricing
Indian Railways dynamic pricing is applicable on IRCTC Tejas Express, Rajdhani Express and Shatabdi Express trains. However, no such fares are applicable on Vande Bharat trains.
About Indian Railways Tejas train
Tejas Express is a semi high speed train having modern on board facilities and enhanced passenger comfort. The coaches are manufactured at Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala. "The newly designed coaches are capable of running at a speed of 200 km/h but due to constraints related to rail tracks these coaches will run at a speed of 160 km/h. Speed potential of 200 Kmph was achieved by providing Steel brake disc, Sintered pads, Electro-pneumatic assist Brake system," the Ministry of Railways said in a statement in 2017.
