Toolkits for Urban Transport Development - UNEP

C: Public Transport
The public transport storyline includes NMT, as any public transit trip includes a NMT component for
access and egress. Since most Indian cities lack reliable bus service, two kinds of storylines for public
transport should be considered:
1. Improved bus service with compatible pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure
In this scenario, bus infrastructure and operations are improved so that reliable bus service is available
at least along all arterial roads. In addition, operational interventions like better routing and
scheduling, improved frequency and better bus stop design improve bus speed, overall safety and bus
user comfort. Para transit modes are available on the sub arterial and connecting roads so that the
maximum access/egress trip length is less than 1 km. In order to facilitate walking and cycling, the
scenario includes optimally designed footpaths and cycle tracks to improve NMT user comfort and
safety. Other support infrastructures, like bicycle parking near bus stations, are also considered.
2. Improved bus service and mass transit with compatible pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure
This scenario includes all improvements detailed above in the improved bus service storyline, as well
as a mass transit system on select traffic corridors. Mass transit options could include BRT (exclusive
lanes on all arterial roads), light rail or a metro system 37 . (If the demand exceeds 15000 persons per
hour along a 10 km long corridor)
D: Improving Public Transport, NMT and Urban Structure:
This scenario looks at how the implementation of NMT, public transport and urban structure
strategies combine and complement each other.
E: Technology
Technology changes can encompass changes to vehicles, fuels and CO 2 emissions related to
electricity. See Task 4-4.
F: Regulatory and Financial Measures (Incentives and Disincentives)
A wide variety of measures can be undertaken to help shift people from private transport modes to
sustainable urban transport under a regulatory and financial measure scenario. Examples of such
measures include parking policies, congestion pricing and carbon-taxes.
1. Increased parking cost and distance to parking area
Parking is generally cheap—if not free—in Indian cities. As a result, there is no disincentive for
owners of private transport modes like cars and motorized two-wheelers to stop using them to get
from one place to another.
Instead, there are plenty of incentives to keep using them, as they offer a high amount of personal
mobility. However, carriageways are neither cheap nor private. Using carriageways and footpaths for
37 For an overview of Mass Transit Options see Table 9. Low Carbon City: A Guidebook for City Planners and Practitioners
available at http://www.unep.org/Transport/lowcarbon/Pdf's/LowCarbonCity_Guidebook.pdf
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