Vande Bharat Express has started its regular service between New Delhi and Varanasi.   The inaugural service of the train was carried out on February 15, 2019. Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi flagged of its first journey in New Delhi.  The new train by Indian Railway can run up to a speed of 160 kmph. 

The train was earlier named Train 18, representing the year of manufacture. The semi-high speed train with many special features was recently renamed to  Vande Bharat Express. The train will commence its commercial journey between Delhi and Varanasi on February 17. The train is expected to complete the journey in eight hours thereby saving around eight hours of journey time. 
Vande Bharat Express will have five trips in a week and bookings for the journey have also been commenced. The fares are inclusive of catering charges. There are two classes in the train; chair car and executive class. The fares are Rs. 1,760 and Rs. 3,310 respectively. The train is fully air conditioned. It has a total passenger capacity of 1,128

Train 18 is designed and built in India. The train is a display of global standards of performance, safety and passenger comfort.  On comparison of costs, it turns out to be cheaper at half of global costs.   The train was built under the Make in India initiative by Integral Coach Factory, Chennai.  Prime Minister expressed his gratitude to the designers and engineers behind Vande Bharat Express. 

Major features of Vande Bharat Express

Vande Bharat Express carry features that offer convenience and comfort to travelers.  Major features are listed below:
•    16  air conditioned coaches, including two executive class coaches
•    Pantry car facility in each coach with facility to serve hot meals and hot and cold beverages
•    GPS based audio –visual passenger information system
•    Automatic doors
•    WiFi hotspot for passengers that provides entertainment content provided by the Railways
•    Vande Bharat Express has a passenger capacity of 1,128 
•    Seats in executive class is rotatable up to 180 degree
•    Bio vacuum toilets similar to that in airplanes
•    Personalized lighting for each seat with dual mode lighting.
•    Regenerative braking system that saves power
•    Coaches well insulated from outside noises

Vande Bharat Express – Future plans

For the Indian Railway, Vande Bharat Express is a game changer. It serves as the face of Indian Railway trying to modernize all its activities.  According to Railway Minister Piyush Goyal, tendering process for the manufacturing of 30 more semi-high speed trains are in progress.  Prime Minister has also agreed for introduction of 100 more such trains.  The cost effectiveness of the manufacturing costs can even be considered as a game changer even in global train business.