Patna: Passengers travelling between Patna and Bengaluru are likely to get some relief from persistent demand for confirmed AC tickets after the Railways added an extra AC coach to the Patna-Bengaluru Humsafar Express.
The development is significant for Bhojpur, where many students travel to Bengaluru for higher education.
Bengaluru, a major education and IT hub, attracts students from the district pursuing engineering, management, computer studies and other professional courses. A substantial number of young people from Bhojpur are also employed in Bengaluru’s IT sector and private companies.
As a result, the Humsafar Express is an important rail link for families that regularly travel between the region and Bengaluru.
High demand during holidays and academic sessions
Demand for confirmed tickets on the Patna-Bengaluru route typically increases during holidays, festivals and the academic session. Passengers often face long waiting lists even when tickets are booked well in advance.
The additional AC coach will increase the train’s passenger capacity and is expected to improve the availability of confirmed seats.
The benefit is likely to extend beyond students and working professionals to their parents and other family members who travel to Bengaluru or return to their homes during summer vacations and festivals such as Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath.
Passengers from across Bhojpur to benefit
People from different parts of Bhojpur, including Ara, Jagdishpur, Piro, Bihiya and Koilwar, travel to Bengaluru through Patna or Ara.
With the additional coach, passengers from these areas are expected to have better chances of securing AC accommodation on the Humsafar Express.
Local passengers have welcomed the move, saying improved connectivity between Ara and Bengaluru would be particularly useful for students, young professionals and members of the business community.
At the same time, passengers have called for further improvements in rail facilities and an increase in the number of trains operating on the Patna-Bengaluru route to meet the sustained demand.
