Infrastructure
Delhi-Meerut RRTS: Sahibabad To Duhai Depot RAPIDX Ride To Cost Rs 50, Premium-Class Coach To Cost Rs 100
RAPIDX train at Sahibabad station.
Ahead of the inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, NCRTC has finally released the fare structure of the RAPIDX ride on the priority section.
According to the fare chart, a commuter has to pay Rs 50 for journey from Sahibabad to Duhai Depot station on the 17-km priority section of the Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) Corridor.
The minimum fare for the standard coaches is Rs 20, while the maximum is Rs 50, in the priority section. For the premium coach, minimum fare is Rs 40 and the maximum fare is Rs 100.
The priority section of India’s first RRTS corridor is slated to be opened for passengers on 21 October, a day after its inauguration by the Prime Minister. The train operation timings will be from 6 am to 11 pm.
The section between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot has five stations — Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai and Duhai Depot. The segment from Duhai to Duhai Depot is a spur from the main corridor.
The under-construction RRTS corridor, being built for a semi-high-speed regional rail service named ‘RAPIDX’ by the NCRTC, is a joint venture company of the centre with the governments of Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh.
According to NCRTC, "A day after the inauguration of the priority section, passenger services will begin from 21 October morning. RAPIDX trains will be operational between 6 am and 11 pm. Initially, trains will be available every 15 minutes, though the frequency can be increased on a requirement basis in the future."
Every RAPIDX train will have six coaches, including a premium coach. One coach in every train is reserved for women and it is the coach next to the premium coach.
Seats in coaches are serially numbered. Also, there are reserved seats for women, specially-abled and senior citizens in other coaches, the officials said.
Premium coaches have a seat with a different colour code, a provision for installing a vending machine in future, besides a host of additional commuter-centric features like reclining seats, coat hooks, magazine holders and footrests.
The first coach moving towards Meerut from Delhi, and the last coach moving towards Delhi from Meerut will be the premium coach. It will be separated from the adjoining coach with a sliding door.
Entry to a premium coach will be accessible only through a premium lounge on a platform. Equipped with comfortable cushioned seats, it will have a vending machine from where snacks or drinks can be bought.
Commuters can buy a paper QR code-based ticket, which can be generated via ticket vending machines (TVM) or bought from ticket counters at the RAPIDX stations, officials said.
Unified Payments Interface or UPI-enabled ticket vending machines have been installed to purchase paper QR code-based tickets and recharge the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC).
Passengers can use bank notes, bank cards, National Common Mobility Cards and UPI to buy tickets from a TVM. Sources said a RAPIDX smart card is expected to be launched on the day of the inauguration of the priority corridor.
The NCMC card can be recharged with a minimum value of Rs 100 up to a maximum value of Rs 2,000, the NCRTC said. Additionally, the RRTS system will allow commuters to use any NCMC card from the first day of operations for travelling.
Digital QR code-based tickets through NCRTC mobile application, RAPIDX Connect, can also be bought, officials said.
Drinking water and washroom facilities have been provided in the paid area of the concourse level at every station.
Keeping in mind the convenience of commuters travelling with young children, a diaper-changing station has been provided in the women’s washroom at every station.
First-aid facility is available at all RAPIDX stations. For any medical emergency, ambulance service can also be arranged through CATS.
For the priority section, a ‘Lost and Found Centre’ is located at Ghaziabad station of the RAPIDX, working hours for which are from 8 am to 8 pm. Information about lost and found items will also be available on the RAPIDX Connect app.
The entire 82.15 km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut RRTS is targeted to be operational by June 2025.
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