A total of 16 such coaches are expected to be ready by the second half of the 2024-25 financial year, he said.
Designed under the concept of Vande Bharat, India’s first indigenous semi-high-speed train, Vande Metro will cater to the needs of intercity passengers and cover a range of up to 250 km.
Vande Metro trains will have 16 air-conditioned coaches and will operate at a maximum speed of 130 kilometers per hour.
“This train is suitable for intercity transportation,” Srinivas told PTI, adding, “We aim to have the first prototype ready by April.”
After trials, the RCF will begin production.
Vande Metro trains will enhance passenger experience and accessibility, he said, adding that each coach can carry 280 passengers, i.e. 100 seats and 180 standing seats.
He said the 3×3 bench-like seating arrangement maximizes passenger capacity and provides comfortable mid-distance commuting.
Vande Metro coaches will be equipped with passenger intercom systems to communicate with train drivers in case of emergencies.
Each bus will be equipped with 14 sensors for fire and smoke detection.
He said there will be wheelchair-friendly toilets in the carriages.
He said the train will be equipped with the Kavach system, a key measure to prevent collisions.
Srinivas said the gangway connecting the two coaches will be as wide as the corridor to provide smooth passage in the train.
Doors and windows are designed with both safety and convenience in mind, with wider hopper windows that open in an emergency and wider entrances with wider doors.
For the comfort of passengers, automatic plug doors will be provided at the entrance and touch-free doors will be provided in the compartment area, he said.
Srinivas also said that RCF launched 24 Rajdhani-made sleeper coaches in December last year for running long-distance trains on the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramala section.
He said RCF engineers had added a special feature in these buses to provide hot water to toilets during winter.
He said the next batch of 24 coaches will be launched in March this year and two more coaches will be ready by the next financial year.
Regarding the Vistadome coaches on the traditional Kalka-Shimla route, the General Manager said that the trials have been successfully completed and these coaches will soon be plying on this narrow gauge section after getting permission from the Railway Safety Commissioner.
After safety inspections, RCF will produce an additional 30 Vistadome buses in the next financial year.
Highlighting the achievements of RCF, Srinivas said that a double-decker freight coach with a capacity of carrying 46 passengers and a load of 6 tons is currently undergoing trials on the Ambala-Sahnewal section.
RCF is the coach manufacturing unit of Indian Railways. Since its founding in 1988, more than 43,000 buses have been manufactured.