Improving urban mobility, one mobile app at a time
This article first appeared in Citizen Matters on January 11, 2025
This article first appeared in Citizen Matters on January 11, 2025
Nearly 1 in 5 cars sold globally in 2023 were electric. Almost 14 million electric cars were registered globally in 2023, of which 95% were from China, USA and Europe. This translates to a 35% year on year increase compared to 2022. The numbers are a combination of both battery electric vehicles (BEVs), hybrid (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
In the ever-expanding urban landscapes of today's world, the pressing issues of congestion, pollution, and accessibility continue to disproportionately affect the most vulnerable segments of society—the poor. As cities grow and sprawl, traditional approaches to transportation planning have often favoured motorised vehicles, exacerbating inequalities and hindering mobility for those with limited resources. However, amidst these challenges lies a beacon of hope: sustainable modes of transport.
The Chennai Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (CUMTA) is currently formulating the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for the Chennai Metropolitan Area. This plan will serve as the transportation blueprint for the next 25 years (2023-2048).
The concept of integrated ticketing system in public transportation revolutionises the way users access various modes of transport through a unified platform, such as mobile apps or mobility cards. This system, embraced by cities worldwide like London and Hong Kong, relies on cashless transactions for its seamless operation.
CAG surveyed 3000 women across 6 cities to understand the impact of the fare-free public transport scheme for women launched by the Tamil Nadu government. The study found that women were able to save an average of Rs 601 to Rs 800 per month as a result of this scheme. Additionally, the study highlighted that the saved transportation expenses were predominantly invested in the family. Find out more from the full report.
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When asked, "What are your preferences when searching for accommodation?", for the majority, the ideal place to stay would be one that is in close proximity to shops, hospitals, schools, and, crucially, workplaces. Many desire the convenience of having essential services near their residence. Unfortunately, the current reality in cities diverges from this ideal.
Few have tried to understand the significance of the free bus travel scheme that a handful of states have introduced. In Tamil Nadu the benefits for women have been definite and palpable, though issues like poor frequency of women-only buses need to be addressed.
In the last couple of years, Rapido has become a well-known name in Indian cities. The ride-hailing platform, focussed solely on two-wheelers, has been gaining popularity in cities struggling to deal with congestion. Now the other major ride-hailing platforms - Ola and Uber - are also offering bike taxi services. Rapido has also become a household name as it were because of the recent spate of backlash against it and attempts to get it banned.