Click it and Unblock the Notifications
South Western Railway (SWR) has announced that it will speed up 123 trains starting in January 2026. This information was shared in its public timetable released on Thursday. Due to this change, the schedules of 414 trains will be revised.
How Will the Decision Help Commuters
This decision is expected to benefit long-distance passengers travelling to states like Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, especially Mumbai. As part of the changes, 11 express trains will be upgraded to the superfast category. Because of this, travel time on several important routes will be reduced. The KSR Bengaluru-Gandhidham Express, which connects Karnataka and Gujarat, will now take 35 hours instead of 38 hours, saving three hours. The KSR Bengaluru-Jodhpur Express will complete its journey about one and a half hours faster, in 38 hours and 25 minutes. Similarly, the Hubballi-Dadar Express will reach Mumbai one hour earlier, taking 14 hours and 15 minutes.
Slack Time
SWR officials explained that the trains were sped up by adjusting the "slack time" in their schedules. Slack time is extra buffer time added to train schedules to manage possible delays during operations. By reducing this extra time, trains can reach destinations faster. Officials said this exercise is carried out every year. Last year, nearly 100 trains were also sped up using the same method.
Increase in Speed of Trains
However, since over 100 trains are being made faster, the timings of about 300 other trains will need to be changed. In some cases, trains will be slowed down. One such change has caused strong reactions from passengers. Train No. 20687, which runs between Hubballi and Bengaluru, will now depart at 12.15 am instead of 11.15 pm.
Many commuters criticised this decision on social media, saying it causes inconvenience to working professionals, elderly passengers, and families. SWR also shared that in 2025, it introduced 18 new trains, including two Vande Bharat trains. In addition, 50 trains received new stoppages, and eight trains were upgraded with modern LHB coaches.
