Indian Railways has launched a new express train service between Bengaluru and Mumbai to improve travel convenience for passengers. The train began its inaugural run on May 17 and was virtually flagged off by Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The service is expected to benefit people travelling for business, education, tourism, and employment purposes across Karnataka and Maharashtra.
The new train will operate as Train No. 16553/16554 between Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal Bengaluru and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Mumbai. It covers a total distance of around 1,210 kilometres in approximately 24 hours and 5 minutes. The train will be managed and maintained by the South Western Railway zone.
The Bengaluru-Mumbai Express will stop at 15 important stations during its journey. Major stoppages include Tumakuru, Davangere, Hubballi, Dharwad, Belagavi, Pune, Lonavala, Kalyan, and Thane. These stops improve connectivity for passengers travelling from commercial and cultural centres along the route.
The train will run as a bi-weekly service. From Bengaluru, it will depart every Tuesday and Saturday evening, while return services from Mumbai will operate on Sundays and Wednesdays. The timetable has been designed to provide convenient overnight travel for long-distance passengers.
The express train consists of 17 modern LHB coaches, including AC 2-tier, AC 3-tier, sleeper class, and general coaches. It also includes luggage vans and Divyangjan-friendly compartments. Ticket prices have been fixed at approximately INR 750 for sleeper class, INR 1880 for AC 3-tier, and INR 2575 for AC 2-tier travel between Bengaluru and Mumbai.
Railway officials believe this new service will strengthen rail infrastructure and reduce travel difficulties between South India and western Maharashtra. Improved connectivity is expected to support tourism, trade, and economic activity across the regions. The launch also reflects Indian Railways’ continued focus on expanding passenger-friendly long-distance services.