Efficient integrated transport systems, made available to all citizens irrespective of gender, socio-economic status or physical disabilities, will allow people to further their aspirations through easy access to job opportunities and essential services.
However, Indian urban infrastructure has not been able to keep pace with this rising demand, resulting in congestion, wasted fuel, transport emissions and other concerns that impact health and well-being.
Solving these challenges calls for concentrated action, by both public and private entities, with a focus on integrating multimodal services – a combination of public transit, shared transportation, walking and cycling.
Methodology
WRI India Ross Center works from both the supply and demand side, reducing the need for unnecessary travel through transport demand management strategies and increasing supply of quality, efficient, affordable, and safe transport.
We study existing systems to improve the quality of future investments and hand-hold cities to improve efficiencies by leveraging the power of data science and data analytics. We also support cities in planning and designing their multimodal integration and establish movements to improve walking and cycling infrastructure and plans.
We use the Avoid Shift Improve framework to guide our work on urban transport.
When trips are needed, we support shifting towards shorter or more energy efficient, sustainable modes such as public transport, walking, cycling and shared modes.
And finally, we work at the forefront of technological innovation supporting the transition to better and improved modes of transport including innovative mobility-as-a-service models.
The Indore Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) or iBus has successfully tackled high ridership volume in the most cost-effective manner.
The Bangalore Intra-City Grid (BIG) bus network reorganized city bus routes to increase efficiency, enhance service, and make sustainable transport viable for all.
The Station Access and Mobility Program (STAMP), supported by the Toyota Mobility Foundation, is a multi-city initiative that enables high-quality first and last-mile connectivity to urban mass transit systems.
“I don’t have to worry about missing a particular bus. From Chandapura there is a [feeder] bus starting every 5-10 minutes. If one bus is crowded, I wait for the next. The most important change has been the time saved. I feel more relaxed and less tired after my commute and I feel my productivity has improved."
Resident of Marsur - a suburb of Bengaluru
The WRI India Ross Center and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation BIG Bus Network is transforming the lives of commuters. A route and service rationalization process, the BIG Bus Network, initiated in 2013 brought down the existing 63 routes in a single corridor to 30 (52.4% reduction) and reduced waiting time at bus stops by 56%.