The Red Ribbon Express project is launched formally on 1st of December 2007, the World AIDS day by Smt. Sonia Gandhi, the chairperson, UPA by flagging off the Red Ribbon Express, from Safdarjung railway Station. Dr. Ambumani Ramadoss, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare, Sh. Lalu Prasad Yadav, Union Minister of Railways and Sh. Mani Shankar Aiyar, Union Minister of Youth Affairs & Sports, Panchayati Raj & DONER and many other dignitaries from UN Bodies, Ministries of GOI, developmental organization/NGOs, media etc. were also present on the occasion.

The broad objective of the RRE is to provide communication and a service package to rural population and reach the un-reached far flung areas. The RRE campaign hopes to accomplish enhanced knowledge and information levels of young people on HIV/AIDS with a view to reduce their vulnerabilities through HIV prevention messages which can lead to healthy and safe behavior. It also hopes to make people aware of services which are available in their vicinity and to dispel myths which lead to stigma and discrimination.

On the basis of the exposure/vulnerability of local people to HIV infection, National Core Committee of RRE project has identified 180 halt station (cities/districts), where The Red Ribbon Express (the train) will halt for one, two or three days, as the case may be, during its one year journey. The project will cover about 43,000 villages of 24 States and UTs during its year long journey in four phases.

RRE train with 7 bogies will traverse India in a Bharat Parikrama pattern. The Ministry of Railways has provided one train comprising seven coaches for refurbishment. These seven coaches are being utilized as Exhibition coach I, Exhibition coach II, Exhibition coach III (display of educational material), Coach IV-Conference and Auditorium coach, Coach V-Counseling & Medical Services coach, Coach VI-RRE Cultural Performers sleeper coach and Coach VII-Administrative coach.