Sprite Tejas Express: Sprite and IRCTC Launch India’s First Branded Train

Sprite and the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) have launched the Sprite Tejas Express, introducing Sprite's first branded train partnership in India.

The specially branded Tejas Express will operate on the Lucknow–New Delhi–Lucknow route for six months starting August 2026.

The collaboration brings the Sprite brand into India's premium rail travel experience through branded coaches, onboard offerings and passenger engagement activities.

Sprite Tejas Express Launched on Lucknow–Delhi Route

The train was flagged off in the presence of senior officials from Indian Railways, IRCTC and Coca-Cola India.

As part of the partnership, five coaches of the Tejas Express will carry Sprite branding on their exteriors.

The service will also be announced as the Sprite Tejas Express at originating and en-route stations on both legs of the journey.

Sprite Included in Passenger Food Bundles

Passengers travelling on the branded train will receive Sprite as part of their food bundles.

The launch also included Sprite sampling and merchandise activities for travellers, with additional brand activations expected during the six-month partnership.

The initiative is designed to connect Sprite with passengers travelling for business, leisure and family purposes.

Coca-Cola India Highlights Travel Partnership

Abhishek Gupta, Vice President, Customer Development at Coca-Cola India & Southwest Asia, said the partnership represents an opportunity to create new travel experiences while strengthening the company's relationship with consumers.

The collaboration also reflects Coca-Cola India's broader efforts to explore partnerships across India's growing travel and mobility ecosystem.

Sustainability Efforts Included

The Sprite and IRCTC partnership also includes the use of recycled materials as part of the passenger experience.

Station benches associated with the initiative are reportedly made using recycled plastic, with each bench repurposing approximately 45 kg of post-consumer packaging waste.

The ceremonial flag used during the launch was also made using repurposed PET bottles.

IRCTC Focuses on Passenger Experience

Ajit Kumar Sinha, Chief Regional Manager of the Lucknow Division at IRCTC, said the organisation continues to explore partnerships that can improve the passenger experience across premium train services.

The Sprite collaboration combines branding with onboard activities and passenger engagement on the Lucknow–New Delhi route.

Six-Month Branding Campaign

The Sprite Tejas Express is scheduled to operate under the partnership for six months from August 2026.

The campaign gives Sprite a new platform to reach consumers while offering IRCTC a high-profile commercial partnership across one of its premium train services.

The initiative could also signal a growing trend of brand collaborations with Indian Railways and premium train services, as companies look for new ways to reach travellers beyond traditional advertising.