Mumbai: The Konkan Railway Corporation Limited (KRCL) is set to launch the country’s first-ever car ferry train, a service that will allow private vehicles and their owners to travel together by rail between Kolad in Maharashtra and Verna in Goa. This innovative transport option aims to revolutionize how travellers commute along the traffic-choked Konkan belt. Instead of the usual 20 to 22 hours spent navigating winding roads and bumper-to-bumper congestion, passengers can now complete the journey in just 12 hours, comfortably and safely, while their vehicles are securely stowed on board.
The service is being launched just ahead of Ganesh Chaturthi, a peak travel period when thousands of families from Mumbai, Pune, and other parts of Maharashtra head to Goa. By targeting this holiday rush, KRCL hopes to offer an attractive alternative to the exhausting road trip, easing traffic on highways and improving travel experiences.
The car ferry train borrows a model previously used for truck transport. Private cars are driven onto specially designed wagons, secured with belts and handbrakes, and accompanied by their owners in separate passenger coaches. Each train will carry up to 40 vehicles, with 20 wagons accommodating two cars each. However, the service will only operate if a minimum of 16 cars are booked for a trip. Passengers are not permitted to remain inside their vehicles during the journey.
Ticketing & Travel Details
Vehicle transport cost: ₹7,875 (one-way)
Passenger travel: Up to three people per car
Two can travel in 3AC coaches (₹935 per person)
One can travel in an SLR coach’s second seating (₹190)
Departure from Kolad is scheduled for 5:00 PM, with arrival in Verna by 5:00 AM the next day. All travellers must report to Kolad station by 2:00 PM for loading and boarding procedures. With soaring tourist numbers, Goa welcomed over 54 lakh visitors in just six months, the timing of this launch couldn’t be more strategic.
As KRCL’s car ferry service prepares to roll out, it promises not just a quicker journey, but a smarter, greener, and more relaxing way to travel between Maharashtra and Goa.
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