In terms of faster, budget friendly and alternative train option then Jan Shatabdi Express is the cheapest Day TimeTrain in Indian Railways.
There are several reasons,
1.Jan Shatabdi is Same concept as of Shatabdi And Vande Bharat Express, but cuts off luxury features, with affordable price
Example: Vande Bharat Express and Jan Shatabdi Express On routes like Mumbai–Madgaon, even if multiple semi-high-speed trains run, their top speeds remain similar due to constraints of the Konkan Railway (ghat sections and single-line track).
If the Vande Bharat Express cannot significantly improve average speed on a route, its advantage becomes limited; trains like the Jan Shatabdi Express can offer a comparable journey time with fewer stops, and even provide a better scenic experience through Vistadome coaches.
Not defaming Vande Bharat train, every train has its advantage and Disadvantage.
2.Budget friendly option:- Ticket is cheaper, usually Below Rs 400–500 range when compared to Shatabdi/Vande Bharat Express fare which is around 800–1000
Example:- from Mumbai to Madgaon, Vande Bharat fare is around Rs 1600 and Jan Shatabdi fare is 300, so that's the reason this train is commonly known as Common Man’s Shatabdi, Economical version
3. More seating density:- Jan Shatabdi usually has: More Second Seating (2S) coaches (cheapest class)
Whereas Shatabdi/Vande Bharat has Mostly AC Chair Car which is quite expensive for Middle class families, so it is best alternative faster train
Higher passenger capacity = cost per passenger goes down.
When Intercity Express gets wait listed then Jan Shatabdi acts as a backup option train.
Exterior Of Non AC Chair Car (2S)
Ac Chair Car Jan Shatabdi
Interior of Jan Shatabdi Express (2S) Reserved Non AC Chair Car
Interior of Ac Chair Car
4. Priority netwrok:-Slightly lower priority than Shatabdi/Vande Bharat, While still fast, Jan Shatabdi may have a few more stops, Even if it has low priority, it gets high priority when compared to Intercity, Express And passenger trains,
So it’s fast, but not the absolute top-tier speed category.
5. Designed for middle-class affordability:- Indian Railways created Jan Shatabdi to bridge the gap between Expensive premium trains Shatabdi/ Vande Bharat Express and Regular express trains
So it targets people who want speed, without paying for luxury., but not slower than Intercity Trains.
Great advantage is it doesn't have General Coach (unreserved) which is good move to reduce the crowd. So Jan Shatabdi is best option for 4 families, students and ladies.
Only disadvantage is seat comfort, which is bench type in recent LHB coaches, not fully AC coaches, Few more stops and several features missing in which Vande Bharat/Shatabdi Express have.
And there is no food options, passengers have to bring their own food from outside.
So overall Jan Shatabdi Express is Cheapest Faster train in India, but lower priority than Shatabdi,