The average everyday ridership on the Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS) in Ghaziabad has witnessed a four-fold jump since the opening of the second 17 km section of the high-speed corridor last week, said officials of the National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC).
The first 17 km RRTS section had an average daily ridership of 2,500 to 3,000 since it opened on October 20, 2023, according to NCRTC officials. The section has five stations – Ghaziabad, Guldhar, Sahibabad, Duhai, and Duhai Depot.
On March 8, with the opening of the second section, the average everyday ridership on the entire 34 km corridor has increased to 12,000, they added. This section has three stations – Muradnagar, Modinagar (south), and Modinagar (north). Prime Minister Narendra Modi had inaugurated both sections.
Officials stated that they may soon link the Meerut (south) station with the 34km section, and it will draw more passengers from Meerut.
82 km RRTS project
In Ghaziabad, the 34km stretch is part of the 82km RRTS project. For Rs 30,274 crore, the transit system aims to connect Delhi, Ghaziabad, and Meerut. The 82 km RRTS scheme has 25 stations (four in Delhi and 13 in Meerut). In Ghaziabad, the eight stations are already operational.
By the end of 2024, the 14 km RRTS stretch in Delhi is expected to be completed. According to officials, the entire 82 km RRTS route is expected to be completed by June 2025. The NCRTC is executing the project.