Mangaluru: The Railways is contemplating speeding up the train Mangaluru Central-Madgaon-Mangaluru Central Intercity Superfast Express (22636/22635) and changing its timings to benefit more travellers.

Currently, the train departs from Mangaluru at 8.15 a.m. to reach Madgaon at 3.30 p.m. – a total travel time of 7.15 hours and distance of 319 km with just 8 commercial halts and then leaves Madgaon at 4 p.m. to reach Mangaluru at 11 p.m. (Monsoon timing) and 10 p.m. (non-Monsoon timing).

Since its launch on February 24, 2014, the train has not received much support. The availability of other trains, including Mangaluru-Madgaon Passenger, Kasargod-Mookambika Road Byndoor Passenger and Bengaluru-Karwar Express, just before and after the Intercity Express, also contributed to the low passenger rate.

Sources say that, at present, an average of 60 passengers use the train. The number of coaches has been reduced from 24 to just 8.

No cancellation of train

Sources clarified that the train will not be cancelled. Instead, a change in the timing of the operations as well as to speed up the train will be made.

The change in timings however would come into force only after the new Railway Timetable comes out in October, sources added.

The train could depart at around 10 a.m. and reach Madgaon in about six hours (around 4 p.m.). During the return journey, the train takes about six hours.