A class apart: Namo Bharat's premium coaches win commuters

The premium coach of Namo Bharat trains is drawing more commuters, with daily ridership tripling to nearly 6,000 from around 2,000 before the full corridor was inaugurated, according to a report by Times of India's Priyangi Agarwal.

The higher-fare option offers reclining seats, separate lounge access and additional onboard facilities to passengers seeking greater comfort on their journeys.

Namo Bharat trains operate 199 trips a day and carry an average of around 1.1 lakh passengers daily. Premium coach fares are about 20% higher than standard coach fares.

A separate lounge, more onboard comforts

Premium passengers board through a dedicated lounge on the platform, separate from the access used by those travelling in standard coaches. The first coach of trains running from Sarai Kale Khan towards Modipuram is reserved for premium passengers.

The facilities include reclining seats, footrests, coat hooks, magazine and bottle holders, and charging points for laptops and mobile phones. Window blinds help shield passengers from direct sunlight, while a vending machine offers refreshments during the journey.

An official of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC), which is implementing the project, told ToI, “The premium coach offers reclining seats, along with charging points for laptops in addition to mobile phones, footrests, coat hooks, magazine and bottle holders at every seat. Sun blinds on the windows provide respite during the scorching summer months, while a vending machine caters to mid-journey cravings. Together, these provisions add another dimension to the Namo Bharat travel experience while retaining the efficiency of regional rail.”

The official said the service was also intended to make public transport more attractive to commuters accustomed to using private vehicles.

“By addressing the evolving expectations and needs of commuters, NCRTC seeks to encourage a gradual behavioural shift towards public transport, helping make the shift from personal vehicles to mass transit more viable for a wider section of commuters,” the official added.

Commuters pay extra for comfort and seat availability

For regular passengers, the prospect of finding a seat during peak hours is a key consideration when choosing the premium coach. Some also value the opportunity to use their travel time more productively.

Rishi Raj, who works in a public sector undertaking, said he had stopped driving daily between his home in Ghaziabad and Anand Vihar because of the stress of peak-hour traffic.

“I used to drive daily from my home in Ghaziabad to Anand Vihar but it is stressful to drive during the peak hours. I mostly use Namo Bharat trains daily and I prefer premium coach as it has a better chance of finding seats,” he said.

Kapil Vyas said the premium coach offered a more comfortable ambience, but called for shorter intervals between trains during busy periods.

“However, the frequency of trains of 10 minutes should be reduced during peak hours,” he added.

Abhishek Deshpal, who travels daily between Anand Vihar and Begumpul, said the seating arrangements allowed him to prepare for competitive examinations during his commute.

“During peak hours, the availability of seats in the premium coach is a major factor. As I am preparing for competitive exams, I am able to study comfortably on my way to and from the two cities,” he said.

The fare difference varies by route. A journey between Sarai Kale Khan and Modipuram costs Rs 210 in a standard coach and Rs 250 in a premium coach. Between Sarai Kale Khan and Ghaziabad, the respective fares are Rs 80 and Rs 95.

(With inputs from ToI)