ECR to Strip Superfast Status from 20 Trains in 2027
East Central Railway will strip superfast status from 20 trains in January 2027, offering cheaper fares for passengers due to the removal of surcharges.
The East Central Railway (ECR) has officially announced a major administrative change that will affect 20 trains under its jurisdiction. Starting in early January 2027, these services will lose their 'superfast' classification.
Why the Status is Changing
The decision to strip the superfast tag is primarily due to these trains failing to maintain the required average speed of 50 km/h. Several operational factors have impacted these speeds, including:
- Single-line operations: Constraints on single-track sections often lead to slower transit times.
- Frequent halts: The addition of numerous stops to meet passenger demand has naturally lowered the overall average speed.
Affected Trains and New Numbers
The reclassification will be implemented in phases between January 1 and January 7, 2027. As part of this change, several prominent trains will also receive new identification numbers. Notable changes include:
- Saptakranti Express: Changing from 12557/12558 to 15577/15578.
- Darbhanga-Jalandhar City Express: Moving to 15541/15542.
- Patna-Chandigarh Express: Transitioning to 13255/13256.
- Raxaul-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express: Being reassigned to 15545/15546.
Lower Fares for Passengers
While the loss of the 'superfast' tag might sound like a downgrade, it brings a significant financial advantage to travelers. Because the superfast surcharge will be removed, ticket prices for these services will decrease.
Railway officials have clarified that this change is purely administrative regarding classification and numbering. The routes, timings, and existing stoppages for all affected trains will remain completely unchanged.
Travelers planning journeys from January 2027 onwards are strongly advised to verify the new train numbers when checking schedules or booking tickets to ensure accuracy.