Importance of Public Transport
O.P. AGARWAL
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
WORLD RESOURCES INSTITUTE INDIA
Why is transport important
Connects people to jobs, education,
healthcare, recreation
If cities are the “Engines of
Economic Growth” its mobility
systems are the “wheels of that
engine”
It is like the circulatory system in the
human body
◦ If blood stops flowing a person is dead – if the
transport system stops moving the city is dead
2
Main problem being faced
Growth of Registered Motor Vehicles (million)
250
210
200
150
142
100
55
50
21.4
0
0.3
1951
0.7
1961
1.9
1971
5.4
1981
1991
2001
2011
2015
Rapid Motorization
• Population (million)
1400
1200
1000
800
1210
Growth 77%
• Number of motor vehicles
(Million)
160
140
120
142
Growth 2529%
100
683
80
600
60
400
40
200
20
0
0
1981
2011
5.4
1981
2011
Manifestation of the problem
Manifestation
of the
problem
Impact of endless road expansion
We can not “build” our
way out of congestion
8
Reasons for rapid motorization
Cities are sprawling – longer travel distances
means need for motor vehicles
Urge to demonstrate higher income status
Poor public transport
◦ Quantity
◦ Quality
◦ Coverage
Walking and cycling are no longer safe
Resource efficient transport systems
11
Effecting the shift to public transport
Captive to the car
Use
cars
Can not afford
anything else
Use M2Ws
or old cars
Use Public Transport
or NMT
Price is
important
Income
Target group
Quality is
important
Public Transport Technologies
High capacity
High cost
Low flexibility
How do we
choose a
technology?
Low capacity
Low cost
High Flexibility
Heavy rail metros
Light rail on dedicated
right of way
Light rail on shared right
of way/Monorail/Skybus
High capacity bus on
dedicated lanes/BRT
Electric trolley bus
Dedicated bus-way
Buses in mixed
traffic
Buses can be attractive too
Way Forward
➢Comprehensive land use and mobility plan
➢Focus on improving public transport
➢Alternatives analysis to decide optimal mode of
public transport
➢Design an Integrated multi-modal system
➢Build the city around the public transport system