Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday inaugurated the new RapidX train network which will begin services on a 17-km stretch of the Delhi-Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS).
Modern amenities and inclusive infrastructure await commuters on the high-speed network.
Five stations painted on the new line are Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot on the stretch.
The newly-inaugurated line is part of the 82-km Delhi-Meerut corridor that is expected to be fully operational by 2025.
Tickets for the standard coach cost INR 20, with double that amount for the premium coach. Passengers travelling on the premium coach will also gain access to the premium lounge. The premium lounge is furnished with foam, velvet seats.
Passengers travelling on the premium coach will have to pass through additional automatic fare collection gates on the boarding platform, which will deduct an additional amount for using the luxury compartment.
End-to-end travel in a standard coach will cost a total of INR 50 and INR 100 in the premium coach. Travel is free for children whose height is below 90 cm.
QR code-based paper tickets can be purchased from ticket counters or ticket vending machines (TVMs) installed at the stations using currency notes, bank cards, or unified payments interface (UPI).
The TVMs can also be used to recharge National Common Mobility Cards (NCMC). The RRTS will allow commuters to use any NCMC card from the first day of operations.
Commuters can also travel by purchasing a QR code-based digital ticket using the RapidX Connect mobile application.
The train has five standard coaches, with one reserved for women, and a premium coach.
Each compartment has two rows of seats on either side of a spacious aisle, where passengers can stand and travel.
All doors have first-of-its-kind manual locks that passengers can unlock to open the doors at a station in case they fail to open automatically.
Multiple CCTVs are installed in every coach with field officers at the respective stations reviewing the footage.
The platforms are equipped with public address systems that will announce the arrival of upcoming trains.
Every station, painted in turquoise and beige, has platform screen doors (PSDs) integrated with the train doors and signaling system.
Commuters can enter the stations from gates located on the service lanes of the expressway. Parking space is available for those using personal vehicles to reach the stations.
Multiple entry/exit points have been provided on either side of the road at every station.
A foot overbridge has been constructed for those who wish to cross the road to take a train ride or reach the bus terminal.
All stations have diaper changing stations, separate restrooms for women, and first aid kits. For medical emergencies, ambulance services can be availed through centralized accident and trauma services.
The last coach has additional space for stretchers and wheelchairs and a ramp to enter and alight from the train.
Women are expected to comprise 50% of the staff at all stations.
Preference will be given to residents of the neighbouring areas during recruitment to ensure employment of locals.
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