Vande Bharat News: In some major good news for train travelers the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led central government is mulling steps to make Vande Bharat Express trains more pocket-friendly for the common man including reducing ticket prices and introducing tier-based pricing model existing on several other trains operated by the Indian Railways. Vande Bharat ticket prices According to reports the Railways Ministry is exploring options including subsidized tickets and tiered pricing models which would enable passengers pay for accommodations based on their income levels. Data reveals that there are a total of 136 Vande Bharat Express trains operating across the country which boast an overall occupancy of over 100 percent as of March 31 2025. However Vande Bharat tickets are comparatively pricier than other trains preventing a majority of lower and middle-income passengers from opting for these semi-high speed modern trains. The government has acknowledged this widening gap and is mulling options to make Vande Bharat services more inclusive and accessible. While no official comments or decision have been announced yet reports suggest discussions are underway to restructure the pricing model of Vande Bharat to make it more accessible to the masses. Vande Bharat operating cost Notably replying to a query in Parliament by Congress MP Rakibul Hussain about the affordability of Vande Bharat trains Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw revealed that government was exploring options. As per reports Vande Bharat Express trains are costlier to operate than their conventional counterparts with each round-trip of 1000–1500 kilometers costing between Rs 5-8 lakh per day. This includes Rs 2-3 lakh in energy expenses Rs 1–1.5 lakh in maintenance and Rs 0.5–1 lakh in crew and staff salaries. The operating cost swells up further with catering cleaning and miscellaneous services making reducing fares a challenge as profitability would also be taken into consideration. About Vande Bharat Express train The semi-high speed medium-distance Vande Bharat Express trains have revolutionized train travel in India since their commercial launch February 15 2019. The state-of-the-art Vande Bharat Express trains provide unrivalled comfort and security to travelers connecting various busy hubs in the country in a seamless manner. The Vande Bharat Express trains which have an operational speed of up to 130 km per hour are designed for comfort and efficiency and boast modern amenities like automatic sliding doors and CCTV cameras for added security.