RapidX Train Update: Fares Announced, Ticket Payments to Include Card Options
Delhi-NCR: In a major development, the ticket fares for India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) – RapidX – were announced on Wednesday. In its first phase, the RapidX train will operate from Sahibabad Station in Ghaziabad to Duhai Depot, covering a distance of 17 kilometers. Commuters will be charged INR 50 for this route, which translates to a fare of INR 2.94 per kilometer. For premium coach travelers, the fare will be double.
The inauguration of India’s first regional rapid train is scheduled for October 20, with regular passenger services commencing from October 21. Notably, the train, known as “RapidX,” will be flagged off by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, adorned with the national flag. What sets this train apart is that it will be operated by women pilots, a first in the country, marking a special initiative in honor of the Navratri festival.
The train is expected to operate at a speed of 160 kilometers per hour, and passengers can travel from 6 AM to 11 PM daily, with trains available at stations every 15 minutes.
Images credit – NK Negi
Images credit – NK Negi
The Delhi-Meerut RRTS corridor, initially proposed during UPA-II, aims to reduce travel time between Delhi and major NCR cities, making commuting outside the national capital more convenient. In the midst of preparations for its launch, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has outlined the program for operating the RapidX train.
The complete 82-kilometer-long Delhi-Meerut RapidX network is expected to be operational by 2025. The train will offer several features, including six coaches per train, four standard coaches, and one premium coach with reclining seats and extra legroom. It will also feature reserved coaches for women, pilot cabins on both ends of the train, a total of 407 seats, and the capacity for standing passengers.
The train will be equipped with overhead baggage racks, 2X2 seating capacity, onboard Wi-Fi, charging points for each seat, public announcement and display systems, route maps, designated spaces for wheelchairs, and an emergency alarm system that allows passengers to communicate directly with the driver through intercom.
With these facilities and features, the RapidX train promises to be a game-changer in regional transportation, making travel within and around the National Capital Region more efficient and comfortable.
