Shatabdi vs Tejas some interesting points
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Shatabdi-BCT-ST-263kms-3:06 hrs- @ 85kmph- 2stops- 88kms avg run- stops BVI,VAPI
Tejas-DDR-ST-257kms-3:20 hrs- @ 77kmph- 8 stops- 29kms avg run- stops ADH,BVI,VR,VAPI,+4more
Shatabdi-ST-BCT-263kms-3:22 hrs- @ 78kmph
Tejas-ST-DDR-257kms-3:40...
more... hrs- @ 70kmph
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Above shows that Tejas enjoy same priority and operating speed but 8 stops for 257kms are too many for Tejas leading to deterioration of avg. speed and journey time!! With just 29kms of avg run, this train can be branded as a super premium, super fast passenger train or passenger version of Shatabdi Express as far as stops are concerned. Not enough stations are there worth stoppage of this train. In addition to 4 reported stops (ADH,BVI,VR,VAPI,), it is difficult to find 4 more worthy stops among the probables like Boisar, Dahanu, Bhilad, Valsad, Bilimora, Navsari, Udhna.
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Base fare of Tejas is expected to be 30% higher than normal express fare and not 30% higher than Shatabdi base fare as reported. Shatabi Fares are already higher than express train fare and Tejas fares are expected to be about 10% higher than Shatabdi.
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IR seems to be banking on convenience of nearby Rly stn to avail Tejas Services for Mumbaikars in addition to superior on board facilities which may not be big enough reason to justify a full length premium train like BCT shatabdi. We can expect Tejas to have about 10 chaircar coaches only and it is doubtful even those coaches shall run full of paxs. It would be better if the Tejas operate as reverse Shatabdi (16-20 coacher) departing ADI in morning and returning back by night. With this arrangement, the intermediate station quota of ST may be enhanced as per traffic demand. (BCT-ST journey by Shatabdi & ST-BCT journey by proposed Tejas, shall fulfil the demands of business class pax on Mumbai-ST route.)
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Operating the Tejas from Mumbai means this train is primarily aimed to serve business class Mumbaikars than the business class Suratias. With the Tejas running just 45-50 minutes behind ADI Shatabdi, it may not have more patronage as many paxs would prefer Shatabdi which will give them more time to complete their job in ST, however return journey of Tejas may have a bit better patronage. Delaying the departure time from ST by around 1 hour shall make the train more convenient. It would be definitely better.
ST dep 6:00/7:00 DDR arr 9:40/10:40 and DDR dep 18:00/19:00 ST arr 21:20/22:20 appears to be a better option.
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A large number of upper middle class businessmen have shifted to ST from Mumbai and vice verca, substantial ac class traffic should be there between 2 cities, but shall they avail the super premium Tejas Facility?