New Delhi: India’s first “private, branded” train is set to get a new identity, with the Lucknow-New Delhi Tejas Express running under the “Sprite” brand as part of a new commercial branding initiative.
The train is operated by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), which began running the Lucknow-New Delhi Tejas Express in 2019. It has been described as India’s first train operated by a private entity, although IRCTC itself is a public-sector company under the Railways.
Under the new branding arrangement, the train will carry Sprite branding, making it one of the most prominent examples of a passenger train being used as a large-scale advertising platform. The initiative reflects the Railways’ growing focus on generating additional revenue from commercial opportunities beyond ticket sales.
The Lucknow-New Delhi Tejas Express covers roughly 510-512 km between the two cities. The journey takes around six hours and 15 minutes, depending on the timetable, and the service operates six days a week. It offers air-conditioned Chair Car and Executive Chair Car accommodation.
The Tejas Express was launched on October 4, 2019, and quickly became a showcase for premium passenger services. IRCTC introduced several features aimed at improving the travel experience, including onboard catering, entertainment facilities and travel-related services. The service also attracted attention for its compensation policy for passengers in case of significant delays.
The new branding model could open the door for more companies to associate their brands with premium railway services. For advertisers, trains offer a moving platform that reaches thousands of passengers while also generating visibility at stations and along busy railway corridors.
For the Railways and IRCTC, such commercial partnerships can provide an additional source of non-fare revenue without requiring major changes to the basic operation of the service.
The move also highlights how India's railway network is increasingly being used for innovative branding and advertising opportunities. While railway stations have carried commercial advertisements for years, branding an entire passenger train represents a more visible approach.
The Sprite-branded Tejas Express is therefore likely to attract attention not only among passengers but also across the advertising and transport sectors. Its success could determine whether similar branding partnerships are introduced on other premium trains in the future.
The Lucknow-New Delhi Tejas remains one of the country's fastest premium services on the route, connecting Uttar Pradesh's capital with the national capital in just over six hours.
