COIMBATORE: In a relief for inter-state commuters ahead of the Onam festival, Railways has permanently doubled the seating capacity of the highly patronised Nos. 26651/26652 KSR Bengaluru–Ernakulam Junction- KSR Bengaluru Vande Bharat Express train.With the permanent augmentation which came into effect on Monday, the premium semi-high-speed train is operating with a 16-coach rake layout, upgraded from its initial eight-coach configuration.The permanent expansion effectively boosts the train’s total passenger capacity from 530 to 1,128 seats per single trip, adding 598 additional seats. The new composition consists of 14 AC chair cars and two executive chair cars.Connecting the commercial hubs of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, the train serves key stations on its route, including Salem, Erode, Tirupur, Coimbatore, Palakkad and Thrissur.According to railway sources, the service has consistently recorded exceptional occupancy rates on weekends.The expansion will not alter the existing schedule. Operating six days a week except Wednesdays, No 26651 departs KSR Bengaluru at 5.10am and reaches Ernakulam at 1.50pm. The return service departs Ernakulam at 2.20pm and arrives in Bengaluru at 11pm.
