Page 38 - TrafficInfraTech Magazine - July Digital Edition

PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Enhancing Last-Mile

Connectivity for

Metro Systems in India

Exclusive Insights from a 3-City Study

Sowmya Muruganantham, Project Associate and Sudeept

Maiti, Program Head with the Integrated Transport Team at
WRI India give their views on the need for improved last-mile
connectivity for Metro systems in the country roadways.

ince 2010, the Government and Toyota Mobility Foundation
of India has invested over conducted a survey of 7,200 metro
Rs 1.87 crores ($25 billion) commuters in Bengaluru, Delhi, and
in building metros across Nagpur to gauge responses to three
the country. While the critical questions – 1. Who currently
Smetro has improved daily uses the metro? 2. What do the
commute for millions of citizens, its current different user segments
under-utilization is a huge concern. prefer as their last-mile service? 3.
Poor last-mile connectivity, which How can we design and provision
hampers access to metro stations, successful last-mile services?
impacts ridership. The limited
network of walking and cycling Key insights about last-
infrastructure, coupled with the mile transportation for
inadequate frequency and availability metro commuters
of feeder buses and other affordable At present, the city metros attract
options, deters metro usage.
commuters, approximately between
Recognizing the challenge, the the age group of 18-35, travelling
Ministry of Housing and Urban to offices or colleges. The metro
Affairs (MoHUA), in its 2017 Metro commuters are also stated to have
Rail Policy, mandated last-mile service a rough monthly household income
planning for metro projects. The range of Rs 10,000 - Rs 40,000. More
policy paved the way for introducing affluent users (monthly household
guidelines for last mile planning for income range of INR 80,000 and
upcoming projects, including feeder above) are still not using the metro,
bus route plans. Implementing the and very low-income users seem to
policy, however, also requires a be priced out of it.
comprehensive understanding of The survey indicates walking
commuter needs.
and low-cost shared modes,
To gain insights into the current such as e-rickshaw and shared-
metro user demographics and autos, dominate last-mile access,
last-mile preferences, WRI India constituting over 75 percent of all

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