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.
As EVs are promoted as green alternatives, we are likely to see an increase in the number of private electric vehicles. This is certainly not a development towards sustainable transport, as our road congestion and road crashes rates will remain unchanged. These will then impact on meeting our city's long-term mobility goals. In addition, EV charging stations will also occupy valuable public spaces. The conversation around the promotion of EVs needs to consider and actively address these factors.
Electric vehicles are excellent at lowering #AirPollution & #NoisePollution on the road. But have we considered what #EVs are capable of & what they are not? Learn more about EVs next week. Have you considered switching to an electric vehicle, & why? Comment below and let us know. #Ather #OLA #SustainableMobility
Our public transportation & its network infrastructure must incorporate features that will allow those with physical, visual & auditory disabilities to travel independently. This will include the use of tactile flooring, ramps, braille, handrails, voice announcements, & other design elements. Access to #PublicTransport lies at the heart of several fundamental rights such as the Right to Education & the Right to Life & Livelihoods. We must ensure that no one is left behind. #SustainableTransport
Route maps, & bus timings are vital information to share with commuters - & the bus stop is the most obvious place to display it. A commuter should be able to turn up at a bus stop, make informed decisions about how long the wait will be, & how to plan their onward journey. Expecting commuters to travel blind will reduce overall confidence about using #PublicTransport. This is particularly crucial for those unfamiliar with the service, such as tourists.
Planning bus stops for the Indian weather can be difficult. What material should be used so seats do not get too hot? How should the shelter be designed to allow for ventilation while also protecting commuters from showers? For commuters to consider #PublicTransport as a reliable means of getting around, weather-proofed bus shelters need to be planned and rolled out. #ChennaiRains
It is difficult for children, women, and the elderly to walk to the bus stop at night, especially in low light conditions. By improving street lighting, we can lower crime rates, reduce people's feeling of insecurity, prevent traffic crashes and trip and fall hazards. In short, good lighting contributes to a safe environment for people walking to the nearest public transit and encourages more people to use public transit.
Here's an interesting fact about our #SingaraChennai. Did you know that old Madras-ites could choose to take a tram or ride a ferry to get around the city? These are transportation means that we have lost since. Who will we lose next? If we're not careful, it will be our cyclists. As motor vehicles crowd them out of roads, cyclists have never been more vulnerable than they are now. Starting this #MadrasDay, let's respect cyclists, and give them the space they need to get around safely. Let's prioritise one of the most sustainable modes of transport.
Imagine we had a common mobility card for Chennai and I took a bus and then switched to Metro. How much of the fare I pay will go to MTC and how much to Metro? Since all public transit would be using the common card, all the fares would go to one account. Then it has to be accurately and efficiently redistributed. With some public transit managed by the Centre and others by the state government, and some as partnerships between the two, this is a complex process!
Depending on our needs, we might need to use a variety of public transport (like buses, Metro, etc,). Each transport operator in Chennai uses different pricing methods. To make travel using different modes seamless and equitable, no matter how far we go, or which mode we choose, ticket prices must be more or less similar. This will ensure that people have a range of transport options; and people can pick what works best for them without worrying about the cost of the journey.