If you've ever dreaded getting the upper berth on a long train journey, either because it’s hard to climb up or just not comfortable, the upcoming Vande Bharat Sleeper trains may finally change that.

A top official from Kinet Railway Solutions, the joint venture building the new sleeper trains, confirmed that the upper berth has been redesigned based on real passenger feedback. The aim? To make it easier to access and more comfortable, especially for older travellers and those with mobility concerns.

“Passengers generally have the perception that the upper berth is not comfortable and is difficult to access. We designed the new Vande Bharat Sleeper keeping this in mind,” said Nishank Garg, Director of the Vande Bharat Project at Kinet.

One of the key changes is the ladder, it has been reengineered to be safer and simpler to use, making the climb much less of a hassle.

The improved upper berth will be part of the very first Vande Bharat sleeper train, expected to be delivered next year.

The focus on passenger comfort goes beyond just the ladder. The design team, led by Evgeny Maslov, Chief Designer at Kinet, is looking to redefine what long-distance train travel feels like in India.

“Our goal is to provide a next-level comfortable travel experience,” Maslov said. “We believe Vande Bharat is a truly significant project for the country, and this is our vision of how it will evolve in the future.”

Built for the long haul

Kinet, a collaboration between Russia’s Transmashholding and India’s Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), has been awarded the contract to build 1,920 sleeper coaches for the Vande Bharat project. These modern trains are intended to replace or upgrade the aging sleeper-class coaches currently in service.

The company will also maintain the coaches for the next 35 years, a move officials say ensures consistent quality and comfort over time.

What this means for passengers

For generations of Indian train travellers, the upper berth has often meant compromise, less headroom, a tricky climb, and a general lack of comfort. With this redesign, the Vande Bharat sleeper aims to finally address these long-standing concerns.

It’s a small but meaningful shift, especially for families travelling with children, elderly passengers.

And for once, getting the upper berth may no longer feel like drawing the short straw.