Kerala Jan Shatabdi trains to lose Superfast status from January 1; ticket fares to drop

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Railways has decided to withdraw the Superfast status of two Jan Shatabdi Express trains operating in Kerala. The Thiruvananthapuram-Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur services will be reclassified as ordinary Express trains from January 1, 2027.

The reclassification is expected to bring down ticket fares. According to reports, non-AC ticket fares could come down by Rs 15, while AC fares may be reduced by up to Rs 45 following the removal of the additional Superfast surcharge.

The two trains will also be assigned new numbers as part of the change. The Thiruvananthapuram-Kozhikode Jan Shatabdi will operate under the numbers 16376/16375, while the Thiruvananthapuram-Kannur service will get the numbers 16380/16379. The new numbers will also come into effect from January 1.

However, the reclassification will not affect the existing schedules or stoppages of the trains, according to reports. Passengers can continue to travel at the same timings, with the main changes being the revised fares and train numbers.

The Railways grants Superfast status to trains that maintain a specified average speed. The latest move is part of a review of train classifications to identify services that do not meet the prescribed standards. With the withdrawal of the Superfast status, passengers will no longer have to pay the additional surcharge. The decision is expected to offer financial relief to daily commuters and long-distance passengers who regularly depend on the two Jan Shatabdi services.