Southern Railways’ decision to operate a bi-weekly special train between Coimbatore and Yesvantpur (satellite terminal for Bengaluru) renews the hopes for Coimbatore to get the first and only overnight direct train connection between the emerging IT hub and the established IT hub.
For reasons of employment and for train and flight connectivity, hundreds of people travel from Coimbatore region to Bengaluru and are left with just minimum quota of seats in two trains i.e., the Kannur – Yesvantpur and Kanyakumari – Bangalore Island Express.
This resulted in hundreds of passengers taking to omni buses resulting in fleecing despite compromises on safety in travelling by road.
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The bi-weekly special will leave Yesvantpur on Wednesdays and Saturdays late in the night at 11.30 p.m. and will reach Coimbatore at 07.30 a.m. Train No. 06543 will leave Yesvantpur on 10{+t}{+h}, 15{+t}{+h}, 17{+t}{+h}, 22{+n}{+d}, 24{+t}{+h} & 29{+t}{+h}April and 01{+s}{+t}, 06{+t}{+h}, 8{+t}{+h}, 13{+t}{+h}, 15{+t}{+h}, 20{+t}{+h}, 22{+n}{+d}, 27{+t}{+h} & 29{+t}{+h} May, 2015.
In the return direction, train number 06544 will leave Coimbatore on Saturdays and Thursdays at 7.30 p.m. and will reach Yesvantpur at 03.15 hours. Days of services are 11{+t}{+h}, 16{+t}{+h}, 18{+t}{+h}, 23{+r}{+d}, 25{+t}{+h} & 30{+t}{+h}April and 02{+n}{+d}, 07{+t}{+h}, 09{+t}{+h}, 14{+t}{+h}, 16{+t}{+h}, 21{+s}{+t}, 23{+r}{+d} 28{+t}{+h} & 30{+t}{+h}May, 2015.
It will have a coach composition of two AC two-tier, three AC three-tier, eight sleeper class and four second class general and two luggage-cum-brake van coaches.
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The trains will stop at Krishnarajapuram, Bangarapet, Kuppam, Tirupattur, Salem, Erode and Tirupur.
Patronage
Depending on the patronage, the chances of the bi-weekly special being made a permanent train and then in a phased manner, its frequency could also be increased to tri-weekly and then daily, sources said.