Integrating Shared Mobility With Public Transportation Can Beget Sustainable Cities

Thousands of office-goers in Noida and Delhi make their way to the metro or buses home by first catching the shared e-rickshaw to the station/stop. An integrated public transport system, operating by default in these cities now, can be considered as a larger policy solution for India's congested cities.

Conventional public transport systems have been reporting less than average ridership after the pandemic, despite improvements in service and passenger demand. Low-cost options like e-rickshaws, e-bikes, and ride-sharing apps can reduce the investment needed to improve public transport and offset the increased travel demand.

Let us look at some modes that are helping transform the mobility landscape.

Hours Lost In Transit

Ridesharing, or shared mobility, is not limited only to cars, but also to scooters, buses and bikes. These are transportation services and resources that are shared among users, either simultaneously or one after the other. On one hand, it has led to the employment of lakhs of Indians, helped us move around, and unlocked new ways of easy-to-access travel. On the other, we’ve seen strikes by troubled driver-partners, security issues and surge pricing. 

A study by the Tom Tom Traffic Index study for 2023 has revealed that during rush hours, the citizens of Bengaluru wasted 132 hours a year in traffic compared to Mumbai's 92 hours. In Bengaluru, the average travel time per 10 km in 2023 was 28 minutes 10 seconds; for Mumbai, it was 21 minutes 20 seconds. For Delhi, it was 21 minutes and 40 seconds and for Pune, it was 27 minutes and 50 seconds.

The time spent in traffic indicates that Mumbai and Delhi have the most mature public transport systems that are less congested in comparison to Pune and Bengaluru. The last two cities have relatively newer public transport systems in place.

A short comparison among megacities shows that cities, which invest in integrated transport solutions, lose less time during rush hours. Despite being the third most-congested city in the world, Mumbai is doing better than Bengaluru, Bangkok and Jakarta because of both its public transport and its intermediate public transport.

A study published in Taylor and Francis Online, titled 'Mobility and transport infrastructure in Mumbai Metropolitan Region: growth, exclusion and modal choices', highlights the modal share of Mumbai citizens and the distance covered by them daily. The data points underline the importance of transport integration. In Mumbai, trains in synergy with buses, taxis and autorickshaws are important parts of the transport ecosystem. They are the first and last-mile connectivity providers.

There has also been a steady rise in the use of app-based taxi services as public transport, given the existing system of buses and trains is struggling with the demand of the growing population, especially in Greater Mumbai. The taxis, autorickshaws and two-wheeler taxis may be adding some flexibility to travel but they add to the congestion, leading to the loss of 17 per cent of Maharashtra’s GDP in transit. 

Public Transport Integration

The discrimination against public transport runs deep and is visible in budgetary allocations too. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MOHUA) has estimated a 44 per cent allocation for road building and only 11.5 per cent investment for public transport, which will result in an increase in private vehicle ownership.

Most state governments are focusing on building highways and elevated roads for cars, but cities such as Kochi, Bengaluru, and Chennai are working towards creating efficient public transport networks.

To improve the quality of life in our cities, we should learn from successful global examples. Transport for London (TfL) has effectively managed all public transport modes, roads, and streets in the city, leading to an increase in public transport usage. Similarly, New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) has successfully managed mobility for a large population. 

In India, the implementation of integrated transport authorities has been slow. The National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP) 2006 recommended the establishment of Unified Metropolitan Transport Authorities (UMTAs) in major cities, but only a few have been set up and that too with limited authority.

However, there is hope as the Karnataka government passed the Bengaluru Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) Bill in December 2022 to address traffic and mobility issues in the city. The BMLTA will play a crucial role in formulating policies for parking, non-motorised transport, and multi-modal integration, among others.

Lowering Private Vehicle Usage

Ride-sharing and electric scooters are significantly impacting urban mobility. Ride-sharing revenue is projected to reach US$ 6.68 billion by 2024, with a market volume of US$ 7.36 billion by 2028, growing at a yearly rate of 2.45 per cent from 2024-2028. These services address pollution and congestion while meeting the changing demands and preferences of urban commuters. 

Companies like Uber and Ola face competition from newcomers like InDrive, which allows passengers and drivers to negotiate fares. InDrive currently offers various transportation services in India, including ride-hailing, intercity travel, freight, and delivery.

Transport agencies in India need to stop seeing ride-sharing platforms as antagonists to public transport. This can only happen when physical transport infrastructure such as metro stations, major bus stations or deports and public squares are repurposed for ride-sharing services. 

For instance, transport planners must understand the demand for First and Last-Mile Connectivity and align policy with the demand for those corridors. This means that high-capacity bus services may not always be purposeful and alternatives need to be considered. 

A Few Recommendations For The Future

Low-capacity micro-mobility or shared mobility services like e-bikes, autos and taxis may address the gap. Sharing already existing space with private mobility operators in addition to providing incentives with monthly passes, will lead to an increase in ridership in public transport.

A survey of 50,000 participants in 21 Indian cities revealed that 85 per cent of commuters find public transportation services insufficient. Therefore, it is crucial to consider low-capacity mobility solutions.

Understanding diversity around metro and major bus stations is key towards integrating transport and reducing congestion for that particular area. For instance, the last metro station serving a residential area may have a different last mile need, compared to one serving a business park. In addition to this, demand routing needs to be factored in to ensure that micro-mobility fleets are better utilised.

An Integrated agency and single window clearance body under the Chief Minister’s Office in states need to become a reality in India. One single agency like this will unlock many possibilities and can even allow public authorities to compete with private players if they offer their own cab, micro-mobility and non-motorised transport solutions as seen in London, New York and Singapore. 

Regulating available transport solutions becomes paramount to maximise existing infrastructure. Fares, safety and access need to be prioritised to ensure that an inclusive integrated transport system is set up. This can only be made possible once an integrated single agency is set up.

Improving walkability needs to be given precedent as 56-72 per cent of trips in medium and large cities in India are less than 5 km. Making shorter trips by bike or foot easier and safer becomes an opportunity to convert shorter trips from becoming car-centric. Thus, the right infrastructure for first and last-mile connectivity needs to be prioritised.

Future Drivers Of Urban Mobility

Fiscal and regulatory measures can help transit agencies overcome the complexities and push for their long-term sustainability. Simultaneously, service integration through low-investment but high-impact innovations is needed to improve conditions and prevent India from becoming a car-centric country.

Though in the long run, public transport in India requires significant investment to improve its offerings, a smooth transition to low-emission fleets can win citizens over instead of their choosing their personal vehicles.

Online ride-sharing has enhanced mobility, but regulations are necessary to ensure its smooth operation and avoid service disruptions. Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Delhi must prioritise smart ticketing, one nation-one card, security surveillance, fleet management, traffic control, and real-time passenger information. 

Prioritising people's transportation needs over owning vehicles can be achieved through fair technology utilisation and private-sector collaboration. The NUTP 2006 emphasises this approach.

(The author is a public policy and urban transportation enthusiast and specialist. Views expressed are personal)