Thiruvananthapuram:  Many passenger trains would be converted into Express trains, the Railway Ministry said. Passenger trains that run beyond 200 km per day will be converted into Express and in Kerala more than 10 trains will become Express. These trains will be speeded up and their halts curtailed. More than 500 trains across the country would be converted into Express trains, the Ministry said.

However, it is not clear if the decision by the Railways is a temporary one during the Covid pandemic times or a move to reduce the number of passenger trains and stop it. The zonal railway offices have been directed to take a decision on this within 2 days.

When passenger trains are converted to Expresses, the fares too will be increased. Many stations will be excluded. For Railways, passenger trains do not make profit. Small stations incur a huge expenditure for functioning. There are no reservation coaches on local trains but there will be reservation coaches on Express trains.

Trains from Kerala to be converted to Express

Thrissur – Kannur passenger (56603)

Mangalore - Kozhikode passenger (56654)

Kannur - Coimbatore passenger (56650/56651)

Mangalore - Coimbatore passenger (56324/56323)

Mangalore - Goa passenger (56640/56641)

Palakkad - Thiruchirapalli passenger (56712/56713)

Nilambur - Kottayam passenger (56363/56362)

Nagercoil - Kottayam passenger (56304)

Guruvayur - Punalur passenger (56365/56366)

Punalur - Madurai passenger (56700/56701)

Palakkad - Tiruchendur passenger (56769/56770)