- New bi-weekly express train launched between Bengaluru and Mumbai
- Train covers 1,210 km in 24 hours 5 minutes with 15 scheduled stops
- Service starts May 23 from Bengaluru and May 24 from Mumbai
The Ministry of Railways inaugurated a new bi-weekly express train service between Bengaluru and Mumbai, adding a direct rail option for passengers travelling between Karnataka and Maharashtra. Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw flagged off the inaugural run virtually on May 17, 2026. The new service is expected to further improve rail connectivity for passengers travelling between Bengaluru, the Hubballi-Dharwad region, Belagavi, Pune and Mumbai. The train will be operated and maintained by South Western Railway.
New Bengaluru-Mumbai Express Begins Operations
The new train will run between Sir M. Visvesvaraya Terminal, Bengaluru and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus as Train No. 16553/16554. On Sunday, it operated as an inaugural one-way special service with Train No. 06557.
The SMVT Bengaluru-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express will cover a distance of 1,210 km in 24 hours and 5 minutes. The train will begin regular operations from Bengaluru on May 23, while services from Mumbai will start from May 24.
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Route And Stoppages
The new SMVT Bengaluru-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express will halt at 15 stations, including Tumakuru, Davangere, SSS Hubballi, Dharwar, Belagavi, Miraj, Sangli, Karad, Satara, Lonand, Pune, Lonavala, Karjat, Kalyan and Thane.
The service is expected to benefit passengers travelling for business, education, tourism and employment between Bengaluru, North Karnataka and the Mumbai region.
Train Timings
Train No. 16553 SMVT Bengaluru–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express will depart from SMVT Bengaluru at 20:35 hrs every Tuesday and Saturday. It will reach Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 20:40 hrs on Wednesday and Sunday respectively.
In the return direction, Train No. 16554 Lokmanya Tilak Terminus–SMVT Bengaluru Express will depart from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 23:15 hrs every Sunday and Wednesday and arrive at SMVT Bengaluru at 22:30 hrs on Monday and Thursday respectively.
For the inaugural run on May 17, the SMVT Bengaluru–Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Inaugural Special departed from SMVT Bengaluru at 10:00 hrs and reached Lokmanya Tilak Terminus at 10:30 hrs the next day.
Coach Composition And Frequency
The SMVT Bengaluru-Lokmanya Tilak Terminus Express will run as a bi-weekly service with a total of 17 LHB coaches.
The train will have one AC 2-Tier coach, four AC 3-Tier coaches, six Sleeper Class coaches, four General Second Class coaches, one Second Class Luggage-cum-Brake Van with a Divyangjan-friendly compartment and one Luggage-cum-Generator Car-cum-Brake Van.
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Ticket Fare
The ticket fare between SMVT Bengaluru and Lokmanya Tilak Terminus has been fixed at Rs 750 for Sleeper Class, Rs 1,880 for AC 3-Tier and Rs 2,575 for AC 2-Tier.
