TEJAS, VANDE BHARAT EXPRESS: A JOURNEY TO REMEMBER and DEVEOP BETTER :

After a long time, I had the opportunity to travel with the Indian Railways (IR), having regained good health. Interestingly, I ended up traveling on premium trains—the Vande Bharat and Tejas Express—for my trips to Madurai and back to Chennai. This wasn’t a matter of choice but necessity, as these were the only trains offering confirmed tickets for my dates. Nonetheless, I was pleased with the experience, as it aligned with my schedule. My journey's purpose was to attend a state-level 5 km walking competition for senior citizens.
TRAVEL EXPERIENCE
The journey was comfortable, offering significantly reduced travel times and the convenience of reaching destination in time . Ticket checking was smooth, and the timely service of food, water, and other essentials added to the overall positive experience.
SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT
FOOD
The quantity of food served was 15–20% more than necessary, leading to potential overeating or wastage. Reducing portions could address this issue without compromising passenger satisfaction. The quality, however, was slightly better than that of the Shatabdi Express—a commendable improvement that should be maintained.
OVER HEAD BAGGAGE RACK
The space is increased seems sufficient and comfortable for passengers. There were only few cases of out of size baggage.
SEATS
The seats were well-designed, with ample legroom that even taller passengers would appreciate. However, the seat breadth felt insufficient, especially considering the increasing girth of today’s travelers. While this might seem trivial during planning, it can significantly affect passenger comfort.
TOILETS
The toilets were relatively spacious and were cleaned periodically, which was reassuring. However, only half of them were Western-style, posing challenges for elderly travelers who may find squatting difficult. Moreover, the absence of markings on the doors to indicate the type of toilet (Western or Indian) caused inconvenience. Passengers sometimes had to navigate through 78 seats to locate their preferred type.
PUNCTUALITY
While the trains departed on time, there were delays at midway stations during my journeys on December 24th and 29th. Fortunately, the extra running time allotted near the destinations helped make up for delays, resulting in only minor disruptions to the schedule.
HOSPITALITY
The hospitality on the Tejas Express stood out, with IRCTC staff communicating in Tamil, my mother tongue. This was particularly helpful for passengers travelling within Tamil Nadu, where most are familiar with Tamil and English. The staff patiently addressed queries, marking a significant improvement compared to earlier experiences on other trains.
VALUE FOR MONEY
For fares of ₹1,365 (Vande Bharat) and ₹1,295 (Tejas) for a 455 km journey, the trains provided reasonable value. However, broader seats could enhance the overall comfort, making the premium fares feel more justified.
AREAS FOR IMPROVEMENT
MAINTENANCE : Despite the fanfare surrounding these premium trains, some fittings and fixtures showed signs of wear and tear. Hastily repaired supplementary panels, especially in the entrance and exit corridors, hinted at durability issues.
SEQUENCE OF SEAT NUMBER AT ENTRANCE AND EXIST DOORS : This requires attention. For instance, upon entering, where indication is 1- 78,number 78 is encountered before seat number 1. which can confuse passengers, particularly on noisy platforms. Clear directional signage, at the entry and exit doors could address this issue. Ensuring that seat numbers increase sequentially from the entrance would also help.
Conclusion
Addressing these issues promptly is essential to maintain and enhance the service quality of these premium trains. Despite minor shortcomings, the Vande Bharat and Tejas Express trains offer a promising glimpse into the future of Indian Railways. more