Key Points:
- Indian Railways introduces last-minute ticket booking passengers can now book Vande Bharat Express tickets up to 15 minutes before train departure from any en route station.
- The feature is available on eight Vande Bharat Express routes in the Southern Railway zone.
- The Passenger Reservation System (PRS) has been upgraded to enable this dynamic, real-time booking.
- Vande Bharat occupancy is at record highs, hitting 105.03% so far in FY 2025–26.
- The initiative supports spontaneous travel plans and ensures empty berths are utilized efficiently.
New Delhi: Traveling by train just got a lot more convenient for Southern India commuters. Indian Railways has launched a cutting-edge feature allowing passengers to book vacant Vande Bharat Express seats up to 15 minutes prior to the train’s actual departure from their chosen station.
Where Is The New Facility Available?
This last-minute booking option presently covers eight prominent Vande Bharat Express routes operated under the Southern Railway (SR) zone. This is a game-changer compared to the previous protocol, which did not permit bookings after the train departed its origin.
Vande Bharat Express Trains with Last-Minute Ticketing:
| Route Number | Origin – Destination |
|---|---|
| 20631 | Mangaluru Central – Thiruvananthapuram Central |
| 20632 | Thiruvananthapuram Central – Mangaluru Central |
| 20627 | Chennai Egmore – Nagercoil |
| 20628 | Nagercoil – Chennai Egmore |
| 20642 | Coimbatore – Bengaluru Cantt. |
| 20646 | Mangaluru Central – Madgaon |
| 20671 | Madurai – Bengaluru Cantt. |
| 20677 | Dr MGR Chennai Central – Vijayawada |
Why Does It Matter?
The new feature utilizes real-time vacant seat data, maximizing occupancy and making train travel accessible for those with last-minute plans or unexpected delays. Given the immense popularity of Vande Bharat trains, this flexibility meets rising demand and helps avoid wasted capacity.
How Full Are Vande Bharat Express Trains?
Vande Bharat Express services remain in extremely high demand. According to Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the average seat occupancy reached 102.01% in FY 2024–25 and has already climbed to 105.03% in the current fiscal year. This means overbookings, and even standing passengers on many occasions, demonstrating the drive for both efficiency and passenger convenience.
Indian Railways’ push for tech-driven, passenger-friendly services is setting new benchmarks for comfort, flexibility, and optimal use of resources making Vande Bharat travel more accessible than ever for spontaneous travelers across Southern India.
