In busy Indian cities, getting around can be challenging. We deal with problems like traffic congestion, pollution, and the constant struggle to find convenient transport options. The rapid growth of India’s urban population has triggered an increased demand for transport in the cities and surrounding areas, with commuters taking multiple long trips each day. This has also meant an augmented need for public transport. Public transportation systems account for 30 percent of trips in cities with populations between one and two million, 42 percent in areas with populations between two and five million, and 63 percent in cities with populations over five million.

The innovation in the mobility space to close the first and last mile gap such as bike taxis, erickshaw, e-scooters should be encouraged as they offer better first and last mile connectivity. Further, a multimodal integration of all public transit modes in the city would enable service providers to build solutions to close the first and last mile gap. 

4. Role of Micromobility: What role do micromobility options like bicycles and e-bikes play? Have they been able to cater to first and last mile connectivity? In some cities like Indore, these companies (eg. MyByk) are given VGF initially for operating. What other measures do the authorities have to take to ensure proper first and last mile connectivity?

Urban vehicular pollution has become a critical issue in the contemporary world, driven by rapid industrialization, urbanisation and the concentration of human activities in metropolitan areas. When discussing urban pollution, we tend to concentrate more on the air, sound and water pollution in urban areas. But it is equally important to delve into other attributes that influence and worsen the already prevalent pollution.

We leave out one important aspect of pollution: urban congestion and its subsequent effects. The increase in vehicular ownership in India leads to congestion on urban roads, resulting in commuters spending more time on roads being stuck in traffic, leading to increased carbon emissions. 

The word congestion is often used in relation to vehicle traffic by specialists and the general public alike. The Concise Oxford English Dictionary (Oxford University Press, 2002) defines it as “abnormal accumulation, crowding, or obstruction, especially of traffic, etc.” It is commonly understood as a situation in which many vehicles are in motion and each of them progresses slowly and fitfully.

Even though these definitions are subjective and fit into everyday usage, they are not completely accurate. Many attempts have been made to define what congestion is and to determine the origin point of traffic congestion. Multiple reports and research materials are available to get a better understanding of the same. 

This podcast discusses how traffic congestion contributes to urban pollution, what the possible reasons are and explores solutions for the same. The rationale for discussing urban congestion lies in its multifaceted impacts on economic efficiency, environmental sustainability and social well-being. Traffic congestion leads to significant economic costs due to lost productivity, increased fuel consumption, and delays in goods and services delivery. Additionally, it exacerbates aspects of conventional air and sound pollution.

In this podcast episode, we delve into the often overlooked topic of public transportation systems and what drives individuals to use them. The speaker, LIuis, kicks off the discussion by explaining the concepts of pull and push factors in public transport. Push factors, which force commuters to utilise public transportation, are examined in depth. The conversation then delves into policy initiatives related to push factors and their potential effectiveness in increasing public transport usage in India. The debate over implementing push and pull factors simultaneously versus sequentially is explored, highlighting the importance of reducing the attractiveness of car use. Addressing the unique traffic composition in Indian cities, particularly the prevalence of 2-wheelers, the discussion touches upon the implications of congestion charges. Drawing insights from international examples like Singapore, considerations for implementing effective fees in India are analysed. Lastly, the conversation shifts to India's national transit-oriented development policy and the integration of push factors into such frameworks. The episode concludes by addressing the challenges policymakers may encounter in promoting push factors within the Indian transport system.

Speaker : LIuis Sanvicens, Urban mobility expert and researcher, Sanvi consulting

Lluis Sanvicens is an urban mobility expert and researcher from Sanvi Consulting, a strategic consulting firm in urban mobility in Spain. It helps cities improve active mobility and public transportation; as well as the rest of the city's components and services.

In this episode of "Policy Beyond Mobility," featuring Ms Sonal Shah, we delve into the critical aspect of gender-sensitive mobility, exploring how we can make transportation safer and more inclusive for women. Based on a decade of research and data, four key entry points to address this issue effectively have been identified.

1. Data for policymaking, programmes, and projects:

Data plays a fundamental role in understanding how women use transportation services. Notably, while the majority of women travel during non-peak hours, about 55% use shared para-transit during peak times. Surprisingly, many women report feeling more insecure inside the bus than at bus stops. This highlights the need for policies that enhance security both in transit and at transit facilities. Utilising data effectively can help in formulating targeted policies, programmes, and projects that address these specific concerns.

2. Standard Legislation and Guidelines:

Legislation and guidelines need to explicitly include gender sensitivity to ensure safe mobility for women. For instance, recent legislative changes, such as adjustments in the height requirements for bus conductors in Delhi, show a move towards more inclusive criteria. Furthermore, establishing clear standards for driver entry and behaviour can significantly impact the safety and comfort of female passengers.

3. Infrastructure and Operational Services:

Our findings suggest that the top concerns for women at bus stops include the lack of timely information on bus arrivals, buses not stopping as required, and overcrowding during peak hours. To mitigate these issues, improvements in physical infrastructure are necessary. This includes better-lit bus shelters and real-time information displays. Technologies like the 'One Delhi' app, which provides real-time bus arrival information, can greatly reduce the uncertainty and waiting times for women, thereby enhancing their safety.

4. Grievance Redressal Mechanism:

A staggering 95% of women have never filed a complaint regarding their safety on public transport, highlighting a significant gap in the grievance redressal mechanism. Over a three-month period in Delhi, 10% of the 170 filed complaints were from women, primarily concerning buses not stopping. This indicates a lack of awareness and trust in the existing complaint systems. Implementing a time-bound response system and increasing awareness about how to report issues can empower women to voice their concerns and improve overall safety.

Electric vehicles (EVs) are making waves in India. The Indian government has shown a strong commitment to promoting EVs. Programmes such as the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) and the Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles (FAME) schemes have been instrumental in providing financial incentives and subsidies to promote the adoption of EVs.However, the expansion of electric vehicles requires significant efforts in areas such as the development of charging infrastructure, the availability of diverse EV models, and the enhancement of public awareness. This podcast discusses the growth, challenges, and financing of the EV sector.

Key Discussion Points

This podcast looks into the following discussion points:

In this podcast, the speaker, Ravi Gadepalli, delves into the topic of 'Advancing Public Transport System in India.' India's public transport is vital for the mobility, livelihood, and recreation of a large population, particularly in congested urban areas. State governments play a key role in the system, operating bus services through State Transport Undertakings (STUs). However, the growth of public buses has not matched population growth, leading to increased reliance on private vehicles. STUs face financial challenges due to rising fuel costs and ageing fleets. To address these issues, governments are exploring new bus transport models, including Public-Private partnerships, to reduce costs, foster innovation, and improve quality standards. Despite these efforts, challenges such as high capital requirements and technological barriers persist. Integrating technology in ticketing and fleet management is seen as a positive step, highlighting the importance of states exploring various funding avenues and collaborating with the private sector to enhance public transportation accessibility.

Speaker:  Ravi Gadepalli, Independent Consultant with World Bank & ADB, Public Transport

Moderator: Lizbeth Godwin, Associate, Research, CPPR

Key Discussion Points