Mythologies, Metro rail Systems and Future Urban t ransport

Abstract

There is still no clear vision among planners, policymakers and transport experts about what will make Indian cities better places to live in as far as mobility and access are concerned. The prevailing mythology is that construction of metro rail systems will somehow solve the problems of the future. A review of urban mass transport systems over the past century shows that metro systems were the obvious choice when relatively inexpensive cars and two-wheelers were not available. With the introduction of efficient buses, computer and information technologies to manage large fleets, and the need to have flexible, medium capacity systems that go close to homes and destinations, bus rapid transit systems with dedicated lanes seem to be the only choice for providing affordable mass transport in our cities. Consider the following statements on urban transport: A comprehensive bus system – which would help remove thousands of cars from the streets – can be set up for the same cost as constructing a flyover, which often only serves to shift a traffic jam from one point to another... It is crucial to give due consideration to the magnitude of a project in order to avoid the risk of presenting “show-case” solutions which are conceived for the media and only benefit a minority of the inhabitants [Lerner 1996].1 Unfortunately sometimes rail systems are also chosen for the worst possible reasons... Rail system salesmen are legendary for the procedures they utilise for selling their expensive wares...bus systems are more flexible, an important asset in developing countries’ dynamic cities. As a city attraction centre shifts, it is easier to adjust a bus system than a rail one [Penalosa 2004].2 A sustainable city is one that wastes the least and conserves the maximum. Most importantly, it means making the existing system of people and resources work better – rather than throwing it away and trying to replace it with a single, capital-intensive project such as a subway or a rail-based system [Rabinovitch 1995]. The demand for rail has continued to shrink because transit networks are unable to keep up with changing land use and travel patterns that have decentralised residences and employment...Unfortunately, transit systems have been able to evolve because their supporters have sold them as an antidote to the social costs associated with automobile travel, in spite of strong evidence to the contrary. As long as rail transit continues to be erroneously viewed in this way by the public, it will continue to be an increasing drain on social welfare [Winston and Maheshri 2007].

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