Tejas Express: Indian Railways runs thousands of trains every day, categorized according to speed, luxury, and price. While Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Vande Bharat Express are luxury trains, there is one that is above all of them. Its superiority can be gauged from its cost and selectivity, being one of the most elite trains on Indian railways.
Tejas Express: The Train with a Unique Prestige
IRCTC Tejas Express from Lucknow to Delhi occupies a unique space. Though slower than Vande Bharat Express, the fare is higher, given the premium positioning of the train. It takes 6 hours 35 minutes, while Vande Bharat takes 6 hours 15 minutes. Though slower than Tejas, it takes the fare in a different manner.
Higher Fare Despite Higher Travel Time
Generally, the slower ones are cheaper, but not Tejas Express. Delhi-Lucknow Chair Car (CC) ticket on Vande Bharat Express costs Rs.1,245, Executive Class (EC) costs Rs.2,400. But Tejas Express charges Rs.1,470 for Chair Car and Rs.2,594 for Executive Class—a little over Rs.200 more than Vande Bharat.
To put it into comparison, Shatabdi Express takes 6 hours 45 minutes on the same journey, 10 minutes more than Tejas. But it is much cheaper—Rs.600 less than Tejas.
Why Tejas Express Is More Costly
Tejas Express is a privately operated train operated by IRCTC and hence exempt from Indian Railways’ general fare rules. As opposed to government trains, which are based on fixed fares, Tejas operates on dynamic pricing, where prices rise with demand. The minimum fare of Tejas between Delhi and Lucknow is Rs.1,400, while that of Vande Bharat is only Rs.965. Surcharge added on top also makes Tejas pricier than Rajdhani, Shatabdi, and Vande Bharat Express.
Luxury Amenities of Tejas Express
Even with its high-end price, Tejas Express provides a luxurious experience with high-end services. The passengers can experience comfortable seating, customized catering, modern interior, and entertainment amenities. The special service of the train and dynamic pricing make it an elite train, which is a favorite among passengers who prefer luxury over cost.