I feel that this VB will not garner sufficient patronage given the history if failure if MaO MAQ Jan Shatabdi Express and MAQ MAO Intercity Express. This VB is planned only because its demanded by MLAs but passenger count and views have not been considered.
However there are two ways this VB can be made to garner patronage:
Option...
more... 1: Time the VB and align it with 22229/30 Mumbai MAO VB such that it projects fastest connection between Mumbai - Mangaluru Central and back including waiting period /buffer time at Madgaon Jn.
For eg : The timings can be
MAQ 09:15 dep
MAO 13:20 arrv
MAO 14:00 dep
MAQ 18:20 arrvl
Halts at Canacona, Karwar, Gokarana Road, Kumta, Murdeshwar, Bhatkal, Byndoor Mookambika Road, Udupi and Surathkal
During Monsoons RSA with 22229/30 should be set up and run 6 days a week. The timings can be
MAQ 07:05 dep
MAO 12:00 arrv
MAO 16:00 dep
MAQ 21:20 arrvl
Option 2: Electrification between Madgaon Jn and Londa Jn should be expedited and VB should be run till UBL to serve as an Intercity Connection
For eg :
MAQ 06:10 (05:45 dep during Monsoons over KRCL)
MAO 10:10/10:20
QLM 10:58/11:00 (No bankers required for Ghats. Only Parking brakes needs to be fitted like SNSI/SUR VB)
CLR 12:00/12:03
LD 12:38/12:40
UBL 13:45 (Monsoon arrvl 14:10 over KRCL)
UBL 15:45 (14:40 dep during Monsoons over KRCL)
LD 16:43/16:45
CLR 17:12/17:15
QLM 18:25/18:27
MAO 19:15/19:25
MAQ 23:30