This bullet train service will become operational for commuters from August 15 next year. Traveling at a speed of 320 kmph, this bullet train is not meant for only the rich people but even common middle-class citizens can enjoy the ride comfortably.
According to the indications of Railway ministry, it has been planned to keep the cost of bullet train cheaper than the airfares and equivalent to the first-class air-conditioned ticket of the train.
This train, which will travel the distance of 508 kilometers between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in less than two hours, will follow the same schedule as that of the metro. It means that the frequency of rides can be raised or reduced depending upon the number of passengers during the peak hours. Around 80 percent of construction work for the project is now complete.
In the initial stage, plans are afoot to run the trains in the 50-kilometer-long corridor between Surat and Vilmora of Gujarat state. Then after, the entire 508 kilometer-long corridor will be opened sequentially.
There will be 12 stations along this route. This will enable passengers traveling between Mumbai and Ahmedabad to use it, but also those from cities along the way.
The greatest curiosity is surrounding the fares. Initially, the fare was proposed to be slightly higher than the Mumbai-Ahmedabad first-class air-conditioned fare. Based on this, an estimate of around 3,000 rupees has been made. However, this is not the final fare.
Currently, the first-class air-conditioned fare on a mail or express train between Mumbai and Ahmedabad costs around 1,950 rupees. The Vande Bharat Express Executive Class fare is 2,405 rupees.
Journeys by these trains take six to seven hours. The bullet train fare may be slightly higher, but the travel time will be reduced to approximately two hours. This means passengers will save approximately four to five hours.
The benefits of the bullet train become even more apparent when compared to an airplane. The flight time between Mumbai and Ahmedabad is approximately one and a half hours, but additional time is required for procedures such as reaching the airport, security checks, and boarding. Bullet train stations are being built within or near cities, reducing the travel time.
Passengers' convenience will not be limited to speed and fares. Plans are underway to maintain regular service. Like the metro, trips can be increased or decreased based on passenger numbers. This will eliminate long waits for individual trains, and working people will be able to travel at their convenience.
At the designated speed, the bullet train will be able to complete the journey between Mumbai and Ahmedabad in one hour and 58 minutes. This is why it is intended to be a new option for daily commuting between cities, rather than simply a high-speed train. After the first phase begins in August 2027, the corridor is scheduled to be operational in a phased manner.
