SWR to speed up 123 trains from 2026, cut travel time to Gujarat, Rajasthan and Mumbai

Revised public timetable brings faster journeys for long-distance passengers, while changes in departure times trigger commuter concerns on select routes.

South Western Railway (SWR) is set to introduce faster train services from January 2026, with 123 trains scheduled to run at higher speeds, according to the public timetable released on Thursday. As part of this annual exercise, timings of 414 trains will be revised across the zone.

The move is expected to benefit long-distance passengers travelling from Karnataka to Gujarat, Rajasthan and Mumbai. Eleven express trains will be upgraded to the superfast category, leading to significant reductions in journey time.

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Among the major changes, the KSR Bengaluru-Gandhidham Express will now complete its journey in 35 hours instead of the current 38 hours, cutting travel time by three hours. The KSR Bengaluru-Jodhpur Express will run 1.5 hours faster, finishing the trip in 38 hours and 25 minutes. Similarly, the Hubballi-Dadar Express will reach Mumbai one hour earlier, taking 14 hours and 15 minutes.

Railway officials attribute the speed increase to better use of built-in buffer time within train schedules. This additional margin, known as “slack time”, is usually provided to manage operational delays. By optimising this slack, SWR has been able to reduce overall journey durations. Officials clarified that this exercise is carried out every year, noting that nearly 100 trains were sped up in the previous timetable revision.

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However, the changes will also affect other services. With over 100 trains running faster, schedules of around 300 trains will be revised, and a few services will be slowed or rescheduled. One such change has drawn public criticism, Train No. 20687 between Hubballi and Bengaluru will now depart at 12.15 am instead of 11.15 pm. Commuters have taken to social media to express inconvenience over the delayed departure.

SWR data also highlights infrastructure and service additions made during 2025. A total of 18 new trains were introduced, including two Vande Bharat services. Additionally, 50 trains received new stoppages, and eight trains were upgraded with Linke-Hofmann-Busch (LHB) coaches.