on October 20 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 17km priority section of the RRTS project in Ghaziabad. This section connects the five RRTS stations of Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot.
To address the issue of a lack of interest from operators in obtaining feeder bus permits to provide last-mile connectivity for the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) stations in Ghaziabad, the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) has unveiled a solution. They are integrating the city’s existing fleet of operational AC electric buses with the RRTS stations to ensure essential connections for commuters.
Presently, Ghaziabad boasts a fleet of 50 e-buses that operate along six designated routes. Although the regional transport authority granted approval for the operation of 114 feeder buses on 17 routes in Ghaziabad in January of this year, no operators came forward to acquire these permits.
A notable milestone was reached on October 20 when Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 17km priority section of the RRTS project in Ghaziabad. This section connects the five RRTS stations of Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Duhai, and Duhai Depot.
In a concerted effort to enhance the last-mile connectivity options for RRTS passengers, the NCRTC has collaborated with Ghaziabad City Transport Services Limited to integrate the routes of 50 air-conditioned electric city buses that are already operational on various routes in Ghaziabad with the primary RRTS stations in the priority section. These electric buses are well-regarded for their eco-friendly features.
According to NCRTC officials, these e-buses will now make scheduled stops at dedicated bus drop-off lanes situated near the entry/exit points of the RRTS stations at Sahibabad, Ghaziabad, Guldhar, and Duhai, ensuring seamless and convenient connectivity for passengers.
Furthermore, there are ongoing efforts to incorporate GPS technology into these buses, offering commuters real-time updates on their journeys.
Officials from the Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) have confirmed that this integration was carried out under the directives of the state’s chief secretary following consultations with NCRTC officials. In this arrangement, the e-buses will pause for a brief five-minute stop at the bus bays of RRTS stations to assist in the pick-up and drop-off of passengers, thereby improving last-mile connectivity for RRTS passengers.
Ghaziabad is also set to receive an additional 150 e-buses in the coming months, further expanding the city’s environmentally friendly public transportation options.
At present, the 17km priority section experiences a daily ridership of approximately 5,000 passengers who travel between the five RRTS stations. In addition to this latest integration, NCRTC officials have already introduced AC e-buses from the Delhi Transport Corporation, which operate between ISBT Anand Vihar and the Sahibabad RRTS station in Ghaziabad, with frequent services available throughout the day to meet the needs of commuters.
