There is good news for Goa-Mumbai train travellers. With the flagging off of the Vande Bharat Express from Madgaon on June 27, AC tickets (which are hard to come by) will be easily available. During the monsoon season the train will run from Madgaon on Tues/ Thurs/Sat leaving Madgaon at 12.20 and arriving CSTM at 22.25. From Mumbai the train will run on Mon/Wed /Fri leaving CSTM at 5.25 and arriving Madgaon at 15.30. The train will halt at Dadar and Thivim besides other stations. After the monsoon season the train will run 6 days of the week. The only fly in the ointment is the ticket which costs Rs 1,815 from Mumbai to Madgaon and Rs 1,970 from Madgaon to CSTM. Most people would be loathe to travel by the Vande Bharat Express as it is very pricey ( hence tickets will be easily available). The ticket by Janshatabdi is just Rs 975 while by Mandovi Express it is Rs 1,090. But at least there is a choice now if you are willing to pay for it.
