Urbanisation and the challenge of ideal transit solutions, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• Over 60% of India’s population is expected to be urbanised by the 2060s, posing major urban mobility challenges.
• The government has launched initiatives like PM e-Bus Sewa and PM e-Drive to improve urban public transport.
• Despite growing metro infrastructure, only 37% of urban residents have easy access to public transport, as per the Economic Survey 2025.
• India needs 2 lakh urban buses, but only 35,000 (including e-buses) are operational.
• Alternatives like trams and trolleybuses show better long-term financial viability than e-buses.

Detailed Insights:

• India’s urban growth necessitates a massive scale-up in public transport, especially for last-mile connectivity.
• The government’s focus is largely on electrification and metro expansion, but outcomes remain limited by operational inefficiencies and infrastructure gaps.
• Most metro systems remain financially unviable due to high fixed and operational costs, and unrealistic ridership projections.
• Private sector investment in urban buses is low due to uncertain returns and policy inconsistency.
• Trams, though overlooked, offer 45% long-term profitability and align with climate goals, unlike e-buses which show 82% net loss over their life cycle.
• India’s urban transport strategy must move beyond subsidies and include financially and environmentally sustainable solutions like trams.

Way Forward: 

• Attract private investment by ensuring stable policies and risk-sharing mechanisms.
• Pilot tram systems for their profitability and environmental benefits.
• Balance electrification investments across e-buses, trams, and other sustainable modes.
• Expand charging and maintenance infrastructure for electric fleets.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Last-mile connectivity: The final leg of the transportation journey from a transit point to the destination.
• Life cycle cost analysis: Evaluation of total cost over the life span of an asset, including acquisition, operation, and disposal costs.
• Public transport fare elasticity: The sensitivity of ridership levels to changes in ticket prices.
• E-buses vs. Trams: Electric buses have higher operational costs and shorter lifespans; trams have longer lifespans, lower emissions, and scalable infrastructure.

Mains Mock Question:
Urban mobility remains a critical challenge in the wake of India’s accelerating urbanisation. Critically examine India’s current urban transit strategy and suggest viable alternatives to ensure sustainable and inclusive urban transport solutions.