Evidence from several countries suggests that end-to-end transportation solutions — transit options available to commuters from the start of their journey to the point of access to the public transport system — improve citizen mobility and increase municipal rail travel. This brief examines Indian railway systems that operate to identify links that are not in the provision and effective use of end-to-end communications. It examines existing India policies related to rail transport systems and a few international processes to present a comprehensive view of last-mile communications efforts. This summary provides specific recommendations for formal mileage connectivity to improve passenger information and maximize stability benefits from metro rail transport systems.
The rapid growth of India’s urban population has led to an increase in the need for transportation to cities and surrounding areas, with commuters taking longer trips each day. This also meant increased demand for public transport. Public transportation systems make up 30 percent of trips in cities with a population of between one and two million, 42 percent in areas with between two and five million people, and 63 percent in cities with a population of over five million.
Metro rails are the most desirable infrastructure in Indian cities. They are known for helping people move safely, quickly, and easily. The transportation system helps to connect hard-to-reach areas with the rest of the city, eliminating congestion as people reduce the use of their vehicles. In addition, with the advent of the railway line, the quality of life of the people has also improved by providing additional economic services to the less vulnerable part of society. In this age of population growth, the advent of the railway has benefited society. With the rapid growth of Indian cities, Mass Rapid Transit Systems is a need of the hour.
Mass Transportation Development enhances the usefulness and efficiency of the public transport system, which leads to the growth of businesses to boost trade and help develop the country’s economy. Public Transport Systems offer significant savings on building materials, personnel, energy in addition to other private transportation systems. In addition, they have very efficient high-power engines, which help to save fuel.
Metro helping government to manage transport issues
The Department of Housing and Urban (MoHUA) estimates that INR 39,20,000 crore (USD 600 billion) needs to be invested, between 2011-31, with approximately 55% of it being allocated to urban roads and mass transit programs – a move which clearly highlights the importance of transport in the development of the city. According to the 2011 Census, 36% of Indians walk or cycle to work while 30% live close to their workplace and do not have to travel. In addition, 18% use public transport and the remaining 16% use public transport to work – 3% by car and 13% using two wheels.
Although the percentage of public transport may look strong, their share is declining in cities. According to a study by the Center for Science and Environment (CSE) the share of public transport is expected to drop from 75.7% in 2000-01 to 44.7% in 2030-31. In Delhi, between 2000 and 2009, the number of vehicles increased by 9% per year compared to the bus share which grew by only 1% per year. The current issue of COVID-19 is also dealing with physical collisions in shared travel routes.
Institutional Planning
The Indian transport system is plagued by fragmentary governance as different parts of the transport system are controlled by different organizations. For example, in Delhi, the transport system is managed by four different agencies namely Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC), Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC), Delhi Integrated Multi Modal Transport System (DIMTS) and Indian Railways. Improved communication and integration will only take place if one agency such as UMTA (Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority) manages the entire public transport system. Both Bangalore and Kochi are trying to stop UMTA.
Multi-Modal integration
Multimodal integration allows seamless transfer between different modes of transport and promotes the use of public transport. The various options, if properly integrated, offer inclusive and comfortable door-to-door communication options. Delhi has many efficient modes of transport, with a combination of different modes of public transport (buses, railway, railroad), central sites or IPTs (automatic rickshaws, battery-powered rickshaws etc.) and personal routes (cars, two – wheels etc.).
Distribution Technology
As urban sprawl is expected, the number of vehicles is expected to triple, resulting in traffic congestion. New technologies can play an important role in promoting the use of public transport by improving user experience. Such solutions have great potential for improving the efficiency of public transportation systems through programs such as smart ticket purchases, one-person card, security monitoring, ship management, traffic management and real passenger information among others. For example, Delhi Metro sells about 16,000 cards a day and 1.8 million passengers use the card every day but the mix between the different types is still low. The latest solution for cheap bus tickets, by the Delhi Government, is another example of how technology can be used to promote safer transport.
Innovative Finance
User expenses and fees are the two main sources of revenue for public transportation systems and are widely used for maintenance and operation. To revitalize systems and ensure quality and continuity of service, public transport requires additional funding. Therefore, exploring and embracing new ways of earning money becomes a necessity. Land grabbing, for example, is one way to earn more money that can support a public transportation system.
