Vande Metro flag off today: PM Narendra Modi flagged off Indian Railways’ first Vande Metro train service today. Ahead of the flag off, the Ministry of Railways officially renamed the Vande Metro to Namo Bharat Rapid Rail. The new train from Indian Railways is a fresh offering for short-distance premium travel experience for the common man and unreserved passengers over non-suburban sections.
The first Vande Metro all air-conditioned train service of Indian Railways will run between Ahmedabad and Bhuj in Gujarat.
Developed on the same platform as the Vande Bharat Express, the Vande Metro train is a self-propelled train set designed for short-distance inter-city travel. However, unlike Vande Bharat which is a semi-high speed 160 kmph train set, the Vande Metro trains will have a maximum speed limit of 130 kmph.

Vande Metro/Namo Bharat Rapid Rail Fare Structure

  • The minimum chargeable fare will be Rs 30, including GST.
  • Weekly, fortnightly and monthly season tickets shall be charged equivalent to 7, 15 and 20 single journeys of Vande Metro.
  • The chargeable fare will be rounded off to the next higher multiple of Rs 5
  • Normal child fare rules shall be applicable
Distance Basic Fare
1 km Rs 27.60
10 km Rs 27.60
23 km Rs 27.60
25 km Rs 30
50 km Rs 60
75 km Rs 90
100 km Rs 120
150 km Rs 180
200 km Rs 240
250 km Rs 300
300 km Rs 360
350 km Rs 420
400 km Rs 480
450 km Rs 540
500 km Rs 600

Indian Railways officials told TOI that the fares of Vande Metro have been kept ‘affordable’ and are less compared to AC train fares on the Mumbai local network.

Vande Metro/Namo Bharat Rapid Route, Schedule & Stoppages

The Bhuj-Ahmedabad Vande Metro, with train number 94802, will embark on its journey from Bhuj at 5:05 AM and is expected to arrive in Ahmedabad at 10:50 AM, covering the distance in 5 hours and 45 minutes. Later that day, the return journey, train number 94801 Ahmedabad-Bhuj Vande Metro, will depart from Ahmedabad at 5:30 PM and reach Bhuj at 11:10 PM, completing the trip in 5 hours and 40 minutes.
During its journey, the train will make stops at various stations, including Anjar, Gandhidham, Bhachau, Samakhiali, Halvad, Dhrangadhra, Viramgam, Chandlodiya, and Sabarmati.
The train will run on 6 days of the week. While train number 94802 will not run on Sunday, train number 94801 will not run on Saturday.
Commuters will be able to access the regular service starting from September 17, with the train departing from Ahmedabad. The entire trip will have a fare of Rs 455.

Vande Metro/Namo Bharat Rapid Features

The Vande Metro is designed to provide passengers with a ‘world-class’ travel experience. The first rake has been manufactured at ICF, Chennai. Vande Metro is intended to replace the existing mainline EMUs on Indian Railways, offering a metro-like experience with seating and standing options for passengers. The 12 coach train can accommodate 1,150 passengers while sitting and 2,058 standing passengers.
The Vande Metro boasts an array of features, including a top speed of 130 kmph, enhanced acceleration and deceleration capabilities, and fully sealed gangways that allow for easier movement between coaches while maintaining a dust-free environment. Passengers can enjoy comfortable seats and a fully air-conditioned interior, ensuring a pleasant journey.
The train is equipped with automatic entry/exit doors, the KAVACH train anti-collision system, mobile charging sockets, and wide panoramic sealed windows with roller blinds for passenger convenience and safety. Additionally, CCTV cameras and emergency talk-back units are installed for enhanced security. The Vande Metro also features modular toilets with a vacuum evacuation system, further elevating the travel experience.