India’s first private branded train to run as ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express

India’s rail network is stepping into a new phase of customer-facing partnerships with the launch of the country’s first ‘private, branded’ train, set to run as the **‘Sprite’ Tejas Express**.

As reported by *The Hindu*, the **Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC)** has awarded the **train-branding advertising rights** to **M/s Sprite** for a period of **six months**. This means the train will carry the brand identity during its operations, marking a notable first in Indian Railways’ evolving approach to non-fare revenue and passenger experience.

What ‘private, branded’ means in this case The development does not change the train’s core operations as a rail service; rather, it is a structured branding arrangement. Under the agreement, the train will be announced as the **‘Sprite’ Tejas Express** at the **originating station** as well as at **en route stations**, on **both sides of the journey**.

In practical terms, passengers can expect the train’s name to reflect the branding in public announcements and associated communication during the travel cycle. Such branding-led partnerships are widely used in global transport systems—particularly in aviation, metro networks, and sports—and are now being thoughtfully explored in Indian rail travel through an established public-sector interface.

For IRCTC, this is also an opportunity to deepen its role beyond ticketing and catering, and towards building modern, service-oriented revenue models that can complement passenger amenities.

A step towards stronger non-fare revenue and service upgrades Indian Railways has, over the years, pursued multiple avenues to strengthen **non-fare revenue**—income that does not come directly from ticket sales. Branding rights for premium services like Tejas trains fit into this direction, as they can help generate additional funds that may be used to support better onboard services, improved station facilities, and the overall passenger experience.

While the current arrangement is for a limited duration of six months, it serves as a proof-of-concept: brands get high-visibility exposure on a premium route, and rail services gain an additional, relatively stable revenue stream.

Importantly, the branding initiative also signals a maturing approach to public-private collaboration—where the public system remains in control of operations, safety and service standards, while the private partner supports through marketing-led participation.

What passengers should expect For travellers, the most visible change will be the naming and branding presence. As per the report, the train will be referred to as the ‘Sprite’ Tejas Express at stations along the route. Such initiatives can also encourage more consistent service presentation—uniform messaging, cleaner visual identity, and improved passenger-facing communication.

If implemented well, branding partnerships can add polish without altering the core promise of rail travel: safe, reliable connectivity at scale. For passengers, the key expectation remains that service standards stay strong and that the branding layer does not distract from essential travel information.

**Why it matters:** A first-of-its-kind branded train partnership can help Indian Railways and IRCTC diversify revenue, modernise passenger-facing services, and demonstrate how public infrastructure can collaborate with private brands in a measured, commuter-friendly way.