I don't think they will reduce halts of Tirupati - Hubballi - Tirupati Passenger after conversion into express as this is the only Passenger which halts at most of the stations from Guntakal to Tirupati (except 2 stations viz., Chintakunta & Tiruchanur). If halts are removed question will come regarding rural and urban connectivity. If halts are not removed then passengers ask why extra fare has to be paid when there are same halts after converting the train into express. But they have to speed up the train after converting it into express