·The capacity of the train more than doubles from 530 to 1,128
·Average travel time in both directions reduced by 15 minutes each
The Secunderabad – Tirupati – Secunderabad Vande Bharat Train, which was flagged-off by the Hon’ble Prime Minister on 8th April, 2023 will now travel faster and with enhanced passenger carrying capacity. The train which was travelling with 8 Coach and 530 passenger capacity is being enhanced with revised composition of 16 Coach and 1,128 passenger capacity from 17thMay, 2023. Simultaneously, the travel time in both the directions is also being reduced by 15 mins, and the train will complete its journey in either directions in 8 hrs 15 mins, instead of the present duration of 8 ½ hours.
The Train No. 20701/20702 Secunderabad – Tirupati – Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express was initially introduced with 8 coaches’ composition, which included 01 Executive Class and 07 Chair Cars. Since, the introduction of the regular services, the train has been operating with more than 100% patronage consistently. While, the Train No. 20701 Secunderabad – Tirupati Vande Bharat Express recorded a patronage of 131% in April and 135% in May 2023, the Train No. 20702 Tirupati – Secunderabad Vande Bharat Express recorded a patronage of 136% in April and 138% in May 2023.
In terms of number of passengers, till 15th May, 2023, a total of 44,992 passengers have availed Vande Bharat Train service in both directions. While 21,798 passengers have travelled by Vande Bharat Express from Secunderabad to Tirupati, another 23,194 passengers have travelled from Tirupati to Secunderabad. Importantly, both the categories of coaches – Executive as well as Chair Car has witnessed more than 100% patronage in both directions. Accordingly, the train is being enhanced to operate with 16 Coach Capacity instead of the current 8 Coach Capacity from 17thMay 2023. The new composition will have 14 Chair Cars with 1,024 capacity (instead of earlier 6 with a capacity of 478) and 02 Executive Class with 104 capacity (instead of earlier 1 coach with a capacity of 52).
Moreover, the Vande Bharat Express between Secunderabad and Tirupati is also being made faster with travel time in both directions being reduced by 15 mins. As such, the distance between Secunderabad and Tirupati will be covered in in 8 hrs 15 mins, instead of the earlier duration of 8 ½ hours in both directions.
To accommodate the reduced travel time, the train timings at stations have also been revised with effect from 17th May 2023as below:
| T.No.20701 SC-TPTY | Stations | T.No.20702 TPTY-SC |
| Arrival / Departure | Arrival / Departure |
| 06.15 Dep | Secunderabad | 23.30 Arr |
|  07.29 / 07.30
| Nalgonda |  21.49 / 21.50
|
| 09.35 / 09.40 | Guntur | 19:45 / 19:50 |
| 11.12 / 11.15 | Ongole | 18.02 / 18.05 |
| 12.29 / 12.30 | Nellore | 16.49 / 16.50 |
| 14.30 Arr | Tirupati | 15:15 Dep |
Shri Arun Kumar Jain, General Manager, South Central Railways has said that with the doubling of coaches, more number of rail passengers will now be able to avail Vande Bharat train services. He said that the doubling of the coaches is also a timely addition, as during this summer holiday season more number of passengers will be able to visit Tirupati. Further, reduction in travel time will assist the rail passengers in completing their journey faster and in a more comfortable manner.
