Urban Mobility Challenges in India
The focus on improving urban mobility in India is crucial as it is expected that by 2047, urban India will serve as a significant growth engine, with over 60% of the population moving from rural areas by the 2060s.
Current Urban Transport Initiatives
- The government has launched initiatives like the PM e-Bus Sewa-Payment Security Mechanism to enhance urban bus transportation.
- The PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM e-Drive) scheme aims to procure new e-buses, e-rickshaws, e-trucks, and e-ambulances.
- India requires 2,00,000 urban buses but only 35,000 are operational, highlighting the gap in infrastructure.
Metro Network Development
- Efforts include building metro networks in metro/tier I cities with increased funding allocations.
- Only 37% of urban residents in India have easy access to public transportation, compared to over 50% in Brazil and China.
Challenges with Metro Systems
- The development of metro networks is costly and long-term, with many systems yet to recover total costs.
- Fare sensitivity is an issue, as fare hikes lead to decreased ridership, and high last-mile connectivity costs are a concern.
Alternative Transport Solutions
- Road-based public transport needs development for better last-mile connectivity, with increased budget allocations for urban bus systems.
- Private investments are limited due to uncertain returns, and there is a shift towards expensive e-buses.
- Trams and trolleybuses, though less considered, show promising financial sustainability and alignment with climate goals.
Financial Viability of Transport Modes
- Trams have a 45% long-term profitability over seven decades, making them viable and scalable.
- E-buses show a net loss of 82% over seven decades due to high costs.
- Trolleybuses incur minimal loss but do not match the benefits of trams.
Conclusion and Future Prospects
The introduction of trams, such as in Kochi, could revolutionize urban mobility by offering a more sustainable and financially viable transport future, questioning the reliance on subsidized, less profitable systems like e-buses.
