City Transport in India: Impending Disaster

Abstract

This article avers that Indian cities are better suited for public transport than private transport as these cities are both compact in size and heavily populated. Public transport by buses, trains or trams consumes less space per passenger transported and leads to lower congestion. By economizing on the number of vehicle kilometers traveled pollution is also kept to a minimum. Compactness and high population density imply that a high density transport network can be constructed and maintained at a relatively low per capita cost. This article recommends that both incentives and disincentives (for private transport) are needed to promote the use and sustainability of public transport. Incentives include better quality and more comfortable public transport with higher frequency of trips, low waiting time and a unified public transport system. Disincentives for private transport include higher parking and toll charges.