Wks to launch, no last-mile link from 3 RapidX stations

GHAZIABAD: The regional transport authority and NCR Transport Corporation have finalised 17 bus routes from three RapidX stations to offer last-mile connectivity. But they have not been able to find any bidders yet.
With the 17km priority section of the RapidX corridor due to be commissioned this month, last-mile connectivity might be a problem from the stations.Talks are now on with agencies that offer e-bike services, officials said.

“In January, the regional transport authority had given the go-ahead to run feeder bus service on 17 routes from three RapidX stations — Ghaziabad, Sahibabad and Guldhar. For feeder bus services, there is a plan to invite private players but, so far, none has shown interest,” an RTO official said.
Over 114 permits for feeder buses, each with 22 seats, are to be issued. The fleet should be in coherence with BS6 norms. “With no private player expressing interest yet, the matter is likely to be taken up at a meeting of the regional transport authority,” the RTO official added.
An NCRTC official told TOI that talks are on with private rental cycling agencies. “Currently, the corporation is in the process of identifying land for parking in and around the RapidX stations,” the official said.
The 17 feeder bus service routes were chosen to ensure connectivity to far-flung areas of the city and neighbouring Noida within a radius of 10-12 km. The routes will intersect metro stations on DMRC’s Blue and Red Line metro routes, Ghaziabad and Sahibabad railway stations and the Hindon civil terminal. These buses are expected to cater to about 1 lakh passengers daily.
The highest number of nine routes for feeder buses has been proposed from Sahibabad RapidX station for which a fleet strength of 56 was proposed. Four routes each have been proposed from Ghaziabad and Guldhar RapidX stations. NCRTC has proposed a fleet strength of 28 from Ghaziabad station and 30 from Guldhar.