Vande Bharat trains see 34% surge in ridership, nearly 4 crore passengers travel in FY 2025-26
India’s flagship semi-high-speed train network, the Vande Bharat Express, has witnessed a sharp rise in passenger demand, with nearly 3.98 crore passengers travelling during the financial year 2025–26, marking a robust 34% increase over the previous year, according to the Ministry of Railways.
The surge underscores a growing preference among passengers for faster, more comfortable, and modern rail travel. Since its launch in 2019, the Vande Bharat network has served over 9.1 crore passengers across nearly one lakh trips, reflecting sustained public trust in the service.
Introduced initially on the New Delhi–Varanasi route, the train has expanded into a nationwide network connecting key cities, pilgrimage centres, and economic hubs. The New Delhi–Varanasi corridor remains the busiest, recording more than 73 lakh passengers so far. Other high-demand routes include New Delhi-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra, Secunderabad–Visakhapatnam, and Chennai-Mysuru, all of which have seen strong ridership due to improved connectivity and growing tourism.
In a significant development, Indian Railways launched the Vande Bharat Sleeper service in January 2026 to enhance long-distance travel. Within just three months, the sleeper variant carried over 1.21 lakh passengers across 119 trips, achieving an occupancy rate exceeding 100%, indicating strong demand for premium overnight rail services.
The Ministry of Railways highlighted that the success of Vande Bharat trains reflects the broader push under the ‘Make in India’ initiative, as these trains are indigenously designed and manufactured. Equipped with advanced safety features, enhanced speed, and improved passenger amenities, the trains are redefining rail travel standards in the country.
With continued expansion plans and increasing passenger patronage, Indian Railways aims to further strengthen the network, positioning Vande Bharat Express as a key driver of modern, efficient, and comfortable rail travel across India.
