My recent travel on Vande Bharat Train woke me to the idea of how IRCTC could shake the money tree with Vande Bharat Sleeper trains.

Let me write what are the advantages of Vande Bharat:

1. Vande Bharat is a high speed train designed to run at approx 130-160kmph. Although the speed can touch 130 kmph it generally runs at around 90kmph. The average speed of mail express trains are around 50-60kmph.
2. The increase in speed from 60kmph to 90kmph is 30kmph. This is an increase in 50%.
3. Since the Engine of the train doesnt need to be SHUNTED and moved from one end of the train to another it saves a lot of “Turn Around Time”
4. This also means that Railways can:

1. a) Induct more trains within the timetable of existing trains. b) Replace these trains one at a time.
2. Many people have not travelled in Vande Bharat due to multiple reasons and they are eager to try it out at least once.

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1. The price of a Vande Bharat ticket is almost double the price of (sleeper class ticket in mail/express train) in Chair Car and almost 4 times in the Executive Chair car. We can imagine the price of Vande Bharat Sleeper will be at least more than double of the existing sleeper class ticket. Mumbai to Goa Sleeper class ticket is around Rs 400/-. On Vande Bharat it is approx Rs 1,500/- (Mumbai to Pune via Sleeper = Rs 145/- … via Vande Bharat CC = Rs550/-)… this is 3x increase in revenue for covering the same distance in shorter time and much higher comfort. Its a WIN-WIN for both the passenger and the Railways.
2. Vande Bharat offers a premium travel experience which MOST INDIANS want to experience… major reason for many people not experiencing it yet was that people were waiting for the Vande Bharat Sleeper trains to be introduced. Most people were not looking for premium service to travel short distances… this means that there are at least 1billion waiting in the line to use VB… year after year after year.
3. IRCTC is responsible for ticket booking, catering services, and passenger amenities on the train.
4. For almost every ticket IRCTC is going to EARN DOUBLE profit with almost no apparent increase in expense. As more trains get added more profit it is going to make. Longer the distance (with Vande Bharat – Sleeper Train) higher will be the revenue and profit.
5. Another thing to note is that since the train is complete AC Train the windows are closed glass-pane… meaning they cannot be opened… so you cannot buy water, tea, snacks or food from the window at in-between stations (which was a experience in itself… positively the danger of theft of people grabbing your mobile or bag from either side of the train is no longer there). With the fright of the door closing on you automatically… not many would dare to get down at the in-between stations… (this was another experience in itself for long distance travelers). YOU CAN BUY FOOD ONLY FROM IRCTC (not from station like before)… or buy from Online Food Delivery (Swiggy/Zomato)… which also pays commission to IRCTC.
6. India has a long term goal of reducing dependency on Petrol, Diesel and Coal. Thus India would be planning to COMPLETELY shift from Diesel Engines to Electric Engines and introduce faster and efficient travel. Thus the addition of more and more Vande Bharat trains seems inevitable. It seems that the Express and Sleeper trains could add more and more to IRCTC revenue collection EVERY SINGLE YEAR for at least another 25yrs till every single train set is replaced with Vande Bharat in India.
7. Vande Bharat Sleeper trains is expected to be inducted into service from the 2nd half of 2025.
8. So imagine if IRCTC sold 10L sleeper class tickets in 2025 and it sold 10L Vande Bharat Sleeper Class tickets in 2026… it would still make 3x the revenue for the same expenses incurred.
9. Almost ZERO FUEL COST... price of Diesel is so very high compared to price of electricity for transportation. Vande Bharat being an Electric Vehicle will be able to save huge costs of Diesel fuel… (this would not go into IRCTC’s savings… but might go to that companies responsible for operating). Of course the Indian Railway which operates the train will benefit too due to the difference in fuel cost.
10. On 12 Aug 2021 IRCTC had a 1:5 Stock Split. Thus each share was divided into five new shares.