Passengers have demanded more special trains from Kerala to Bengaluru, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and other metros during the Onam season since fares of private luxury buses and flights have increased manifold due to dynamic pricing.
This gains significance since the demand for train services from Kerala to metro cities where there is a sizeable group of Keralites is not confined to weekends as was the norm prior to the pandemic.
“The hybrid mode of work, mainly for IT professionals, has resulted in a demand for trains to Kerala and back being spread through the week, with many professionals preferring to re-join duty mid-week. In this circumstance, the Railways must operate special trains at convenient timings on all days in the run-up to festivals such as Onam,” said Venkitesh P.G., secretary of the Kerala-Bengaluru Train Users’ Forum (KBTUF).
