Odd timings, high fares hit Danapur-Jogbani Vande Bharat occupancy

Patna: The Jogbani-Danapur Vande Bharat Express, flagged off by PM Narendra Modi on Sept 15, has failed to attract passengers due to its inconvenient schedule and steep fares.The train, which resumed regular service on Wednesday, carried only 29 passengers from Jogbani on Thursday.

On its return from Danapur, just 70 passengers travelled in chair car (CC) and six in executive class (EC) against a total capacity of 478 CC and 52 EC seats, Danapur senior divisional commercial manager Abhinav Siddarth said.Locals have cited the odd timings as a major deterrent. The train departs Jogbani at 3.25am and returns around 1.20am, leaving passengers with no viable transport options at those hours.Fares have also come under criticism. An EC ticket from Danapur to Jogbani costs Rs 2,375 and CC Rs 1,310.

The EC and CC fares for Hajipur are Rs 705 and Rs 380, Muzaffarpur Rs 925 and Rs 490, Samastipur Rs 1,060 and Rs 555, Purnia Rs 2,120 and Rs 1,185 and Forbesganj Rs 2,310 and Rs 1,285.In contrast, buses on the same route are not only cheaper but also quicker than the Vande Bharat’s 8 hours 10 minutes journey, sources said.The Bihar Daily Passengers’ Association has demanded a revision of the train’s schedule. “The current timing does not suit the working population or even casual passengers.

If the train is to serve its purpose of regional connectivity and comfort, its timing must be practical,” said general secretary Shoaib Quraishi.Despite its modern facilities, the Jogbani-Danapur Vande Bharat continues to struggle for patronage. Railway officials are monitoring occupancy and may review the schedule if the trend persists, sources in the Northeast Frontier Railway said.