Officials have revealed that the inaugural Vande Metro, a variant of the Vande Bharat Express trains, has been introduced from the Rail Coach Factory in Kapurthala, Punjab. This modern metro system is designed to offer a shuttle-like experience at an affordable cost, catering to both inter-city and intra-city travel needs. Scheduled trial runs are set to commence in July, as stated by sources cited by PTI.
A senior official closely involved with the project has emphasized that preparations are underway to initiate trial runs by July 2024, with the aim of swiftly introducing the service to the public. The Vande Metro aims to enhance daily travel efficiency, boasting a maximum speed of 130 kilometers per hour. Its extensive network is anticipated to connect 124 cities within distances ranging from 100 to 250 kilometers, facilitating convenient commuting both within urban centers and beyond.
Distinguished by its unique coach configuration, each Vande Metro unit comprises four coaches, with a minimum of 12 coaches forming a complete metro. Initially, the Railways plans to deploy a minimum of 12 Vande Metro coaches, with potential expansion up to 16 coaches depending on route demand. Notably, the trains feature high acceleration and deceleration capabilities, enabling efficient coverage of multiple stoppages within shorter time frames.