India is going to get its first Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) between Sahibabad and Duhai Depot from Friday when Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the train service on the 17-km priority section. The commercial services on India’s first RRTS will start on the stretch from Saturday.
On Wednesday, News18 travelled on the section from Sahibabad. There were four stops – Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot.
Without stopping at any of these stations, the fully-air conditioned train completed the 17-kilometre trip in around five minutes. The commercial journey though will take 12 minutes. By road, the minimum travel time is around 30-35 minutes. The train will be running at a speed of 160 kmph.
While until the platform the RRTS seems like a metro service, the moment one enters the train, it gives the feel of Vande Bharat service, but without the facility of rotating seats and toilets in the train.
Unlike metros, and similar to the Vande Bharat, there are two classes in the six-coach trains – five standard coaches and a premium coach. Entry to the premium coach will be accessible only through a premium lounge situated in one corner made at the platform level across the section. So those travelling in the premium class have to go through two entry points – one at the entrance of the station where the ticket will be scanned and one at the platform.
Those travelling in metros are well aware of the metal seats. Here, the RRTS is different. Across the classes, RRTS offers comfortable cushioned seats.
The main entry to the station and concourse are exactly like the metro service with automated fare collection gates.
There are 10 train sets with the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) that will be operational on the stretch.
Across the train, there is a display unit after a certain number of seats, sharing the details of the next station, train speed, and the upcoming stations.
At the platform, electronic display units have been installed that will share the details of upcoming trains.
Fare and timings
The train service will start from 6 am and continue till 11 pm.
The minimum fare for the standard class is Rs 20 and the maximum is Rs 50. For the premium class, it is Rs 40 and Rs 100.
From the Sahibabad side, the fare for Ghaziabad and Guldhar is Rs 30 for standard class and Rs 60 for premium class.
For Duhai, the fare is Rs 40 and Rs 80 depending on the class while for Duhai Depot it is Rs 50 and Rs 100.
Ticketing
The system offers a number of ticketing options, ranging from paper QR code-based journey tickets – from Ticket Vending Machines or the Ticket counters at the stations – to the National Common Mobility Card and Digital QR code-based tickets through the NCRTC mobile application, RAPIDX Connect.
The RRTS system will allow commuters to use any NCMC card from the first day of operations for travelling.
Seating will be on a “first-come, first-served” basis across the train. However, seats have been numbered.
Platform and trains
At the Sahibabad station, from the concourse, there are two directions for the platform for the up and down trains.
At the platform, there are screen doors across the stretch. When the train arrives, these doors will be opened.
The twist here is that, unlike the metro, all coach gates will not open automatically. There will be buttons on both sides of the gates – inside and out – from where passengers who want to get down or board the train can operate the gates. It has been done to optimise the temperature.
In the standard coach, there are 18 rows – each with four red-coloured seats. There is a dedicated USB point for each passenger for charging electronic items.
Dedicated space for women
One coach in every RAPIDX train is reserved for women; it is the carriage next to the premium coach. Also, seats are reserved in the other coaches of the train for women, the specially-abled, and senior citizens.
In total, for women, there is a dedicated 72-seat coach and 10 seats are reserved in other coaches.
One coach has a dedicated space for wheelchairs.
In total, each train has a seating capacity of around 400, but every RAPIDX train with six coaches can carry around 1,700 commuters including those standing.
Premium coach
Those boarding these coaches have to go through two-stage automated fare collection gates, one at the entry and another at the platform. This is the first-of-its-kind mechanism in the country.
As the name suggests, the coach, having 15 rows each with ergonomically designed 2×2 transverse seating in blue colour, offers a lot of features for the comfort of passengers starting from reclining seats, coat hooks, magazine holders, and footrests.
For each seat, there is a USB and plug point for charging laptops as well.
The first carriage moving towards Meerut from Delhi and the last coach moving towards Delhi from Meerut will be the premium coach.
The coach also has a wide standing space for those who did not get a seat. Further, there is a vending machine from where snacks or drinks can be bought both inside the coach and at the lounge.
Entry to the premium coach will be accessible only through a premium lounge on the platform.
In every RAPIDX locomotive, a train attendant will be deputed who will help the commuters with facilities available onboard. He/she will be stationed in the premium coach and will assist the commuters in need.
For ease in last-mile connectivity, e-rickshaws will be standing at the stations facilitating cashless transactions.
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