KOCHI: Railways has decided to introduce LHB coaches in Bengaluru-Ernakulam Intercity Express as well. ICF coaches are used in the trains on this route at present. According to reports, 14 LHB coaches have been allocated for intercity from the Integral Coach Factory in Chennai as part of their replacement.
It is reported that LHB coaches will be used in this train from next month. With the switch to LHB coaches, there will be an increase of more than 300 seats in the Intercity Express train. The train leaves Bengaluru at 6.10 am and reaches Ernakulam at 4.55 pm. Intercity departs from Ernakulam at 9.10 am and reaches Bengaluru at 7.50 pm. Railway officials informed that there will be no change in the train timetable.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the Ernakulam-Bangalore Vande Bharat train will commence service within two months. This was disclosed by the Karnataka-Kerala Travelers Forum office bearers during a meeting with Divisional Operations Manager (DoM) Nainisree Ranganath Reddy at the South Western Railway Divisional Railway Manager (DRM) office.
The Vande Bharat rakes intended for the Ernakulam-Bangalore route had been lying idle in Kollam for months. They were recently taken from Kochuveli to Mangalore as a special train and are currently being used for the Madurai-Bangalore special service, as informed by the travel forum representatives.