Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS: PM Modi to open India's 1st RAPIDX regional rapid priority section; facts you shouldn't miss

Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS: India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) or the RAPIDX is being thrown open with a priority section between Duhai Depot & Sahibabad. PM Narendra Modi is inaugurating the new RRTS project in Ghaziabad on October 20. So what’s special about India’s first RRTS project? We take a look at the RRTS features, fares, station amenities and more:

RAPIDX is the first rail transit system that has permission to run at 160 kmph speed over its entire length. The average speed of RRTS trains will be 100 kmph, much higher than the metro and Indian Railways’ trains.

The 17-kilometer long priority section has five stations; Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot.

Each air-conditioned RAPIDX train set will have 6 coaches with seats in the 2x2 configuration and the total capacity will be 1700, including passengers who can stand. Five of these will be standard coaches and one will be premium. Of the five standard coaches, one will be reserved for women.

RRTS: The standard coach has a seating capacity of up to 72 passengers.

Each seat has a magazine holder and mobile charging points.

There is also enough space for the passengers to stand with the help of support.

Each coach will have luggage racks, CCTV cameras, emergency talkback buttons, passenger information screens and on-board Wi-Fi.

The premium coach of the RapidX train has a seating capacity of up to 62 passengers. The seats in the premium coach are much more comfortable and even have a reclining feature.

The entry to the premium coach will be accessible only through a premium lounge made at the platform.

Each seat has a magazine holder, a bottle holder, footrest, coat hangers and mobile and laptop charging points. In case you are being bothered by the excessive sunlight, the premium coach windows have a sun shield for your protection and comfort. There will also be a facility of a vending machine from where snacks or drinks can be bought.

There will be a train attendant in every RAPIDX train to assist passengers. This attendant will be stationed in the Premium coach and will assist the commuters in need.

In the last coach of each train there is a designated space for wheelchairs and stretchers keeping in mind accessibility and emergencies.

The RAPIDX trains will be operational between 06:00 am to 11:00 pm. The First Train in both directions will commence operations at 06:00 am and the Last Train to Depart from stations in both directions will be at 11:00 pm. To begin with, a train will be available every 15 minutes, though the system can further increase the frequency on a requirement basis, says NCRTC.

There are various ticketing options available for commuters such as ticket vending machine, national common mobility card and paper & digital QR code-based ticketing.

At the paid area of the concourse level of each station, drinking water and washroom facilities are there. Additionally, a diaper-changing station has been provided in the women’s washroom at every station. First Aid facility is also available at all RAPIDX stations.

RAPIDX stations have a unique design, inspired from the national bird peacock’s feathers. Each station has stunning exterior hues of royal peacock blue and white.

RRTS fares: For a single journey in the economy or Standard class, the minimum fare will be Rs 20 and the maximum fare will be Rs 50. These fares pertain only to the priority section between Duhai Depot and Sahibabad.

RRTS fares: For a single journey in the Premium class, the minimum fare will be Rs 40 and the maximum fare will be Rs 100. These fares pertain only to the priority section between Duhai Depot and Sahibabad.

The Delhi-Meerut RRTS project is being executed by National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC). Once ready, it will cut down the travel time between Delhi and Meerut to under an hour. The projected completion time for the Delhi-Meerut RRTS is June 2025.