Delhi’s roads are crumbling under the weight of traffic. Every day, this weight gets swelled by 1,200 new cars. So when the Delhi government asked the Supreme Court for permission to add two lakh more auto rickshaws to the capital, it was no surprise that a debate got inflamed. Will these three-wheelers worsen the problem? Some experts believe that if the government wants to provide cheap and adequate transport, it should look at more buses. Others, however vote, for autos.
There are currently 6,000 buses in Delhi, whereas by the government’s own assessment it needs more than 11,000. “While a car can accommodate about five passengers, a bus can take up to 70,” said Pradip Sarkar, head of the transport planning department at the Delhi-based School of Planning and Architecture. “More buses can limit Delhi’s vehicular density.”
Delhi desperately needs more public transport before congestion and pollution worsens. Already, the narrow lanes in many of its areas have tapered uncomfortably due to haphazard parking. A recent study by the World Health Organisation marked Delhi as the world’s most polluted city.
Improve bus connectivity
A rise in the number of buses, Sarkar explained, is critical if residents are to be encouraged to regularly use public transport. This will improve bus frequency and connectivity. “Many people choose private vehicles because there are no direct buses from their residential area to their desired destination and because the wait is too long,” Sarkar said.
For a commuter to choose a bus over a private car, the bus frequency needs to be two-three minutes during peak hours and five minutes during the rest of the day, just like with the Delhi Metro.
Sarkar pointed out that Tokyo is more populated than Delhi and yet 80% of its people use public transport, including buses and metro rail. In Hong Kong, bus and railway make up 89.5% of the total trips taken, a figure that is among the highest in the world. In Singapore, public transport – including mass and light rapid transit systems, buses and taxis – is used by 62% of its population.
Autos are green too
Like buses, there are many votaries for auto rickshaws, who believe the three-wheeler can help reduce Delhi’s pollution. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre of Science and Environment, welcomed the Delhi government’s request for two lakh new compressed natural gas-run auto rickshaws.
“Auto rickshaws are an integral part of our public transport,” Roychowdhury said. “Be it for commuters using buses or Delhi Metro, auto rickshaws provide last mile connectivity. An auto occupies less space than a car.” According to one estimate, there are about 80 lakh cars in the capital.
“Vehicular pollution has made Delhi the most polluted city in the world,” Roychowdhury said. “More people using auto rickshaws will be a strong step towards building a greener Delhi.”
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There are currently 6,000 buses in Delhi, whereas by the government’s own assessment it needs more than 11,000. “While a car can accommodate about five passengers, a bus can take up to 70,” said Pradip Sarkar, head of the transport planning department at the Delhi-based School of Planning and Architecture. “More buses can limit Delhi’s vehicular density.”
Delhi desperately needs more public transport before congestion and pollution worsens. Already, the narrow lanes in many of its areas have tapered uncomfortably due to haphazard parking. A recent study by the World Health Organisation marked Delhi as the world’s most polluted city.
Old meme which needs reposting. Road space needed for transporting 60 people in cars, bus and bicycles. #smartcity pic.twitter.com/xtixzrxR8E
— Aniket Alam (@aniketalam) November 5, 2014Improve bus connectivity
A rise in the number of buses, Sarkar explained, is critical if residents are to be encouraged to regularly use public transport. This will improve bus frequency and connectivity. “Many people choose private vehicles because there are no direct buses from their residential area to their desired destination and because the wait is too long,” Sarkar said.
For a commuter to choose a bus over a private car, the bus frequency needs to be two-three minutes during peak hours and five minutes during the rest of the day, just like with the Delhi Metro.
Sarkar pointed out that Tokyo is more populated than Delhi and yet 80% of its people use public transport, including buses and metro rail. In Hong Kong, bus and railway make up 89.5% of the total trips taken, a figure that is among the highest in the world. In Singapore, public transport – including mass and light rapid transit systems, buses and taxis – is used by 62% of its population.
Autos are green too
Like buses, there are many votaries for auto rickshaws, who believe the three-wheeler can help reduce Delhi’s pollution. Anumita Roychowdhury, executive director of the Centre of Science and Environment, welcomed the Delhi government’s request for two lakh new compressed natural gas-run auto rickshaws.
“Auto rickshaws are an integral part of our public transport,” Roychowdhury said. “Be it for commuters using buses or Delhi Metro, auto rickshaws provide last mile connectivity. An auto occupies less space than a car.” According to one estimate, there are about 80 lakh cars in the capital.
“Vehicular pollution has made Delhi the most polluted city in the world,” Roychowdhury said. “More people using auto rickshaws will be a strong step towards building a greener Delhi.”