[sustran] Re: Updates on Delhi bus crisis

[Milnor H. Senior, III]

Dear Save Bombay Committee,
    I have been following your communications regarding both the pollution
and congestion problems in Bombay.  Please look at my web site to see a
bicycle transit system which may serve to solve your problems with both
issues.  As you may know The World Bank has just initiated the first of its
kind Market-Based Carbon Fund which could provide some of the resources
necessary to develop a project.  There is also a new Operational Program
Number 11 - Promoting Environmentally Sustainable Transport through the
Global Environment Facility which is also associated with the World Bank.
This program could also serve to provide some of the resources necessary to
develop a project.  Additionally, there are private funds which could be
brought into the project since it is designed to be a money making venture
and it has the potential to provide large profits which is attractive to
private capital.  If you have any interest in pursuing this type of project
please let me know.  Some factors which we will need to have to move a
project forward include a supportive government or governmental agency,
local business people who would supply materials and labor for the project,
local educational institutions who could provide independent evaluations,
and a supportive population.  Since I am not familiar with your country you
will need to advise me if you feel that the necessary support exists.
    Sincerely,
    Milnor H. Senior, III
    President - Bicycle Transportation Systems, Inc.

SAVE BOMBAY COMMITTEE by way of SUSTRAN Resource Centre wrote:

> SAVE BOMBAY COMMITEE wrote:
>
> > Ref your despatch of 06.04.2000.  The situation created by  withdrawal
> > of  substantial  number of buses, taxies and TSRs has resulted in the
> > commuters suffering and not reaching their destination.  Though CNG
> > and now the LPG are allowed to be used as fuel,  it is surprising that
> > enough outlets are not created by the government.  Press report does
> > not say  that  motorists offered  lift to stranded  commuters.
> > Stopgap arrangements like diverting buses form other routes cannot
> > ease the  situation nor can tax concessions bring new buses quickly on
> > the road.
> >
> > One alternative  worth trying is reserving a part of vehicular
> > carriageways for cycles.  This will help citizens to  move on cycles.
> > Ttraffic conditions in cities  of the developing countries are such
> > that cyclists cannot  move without the danger  of being run over
> > unless cars are excluded from a part of  carriageways.  Pavements do
> > not exist  everywhere  and where they exist,  they are in bad shape.
> > Motor cycles go over the pavements for bypassing traffic jams.  Car
> > owners use the  licence to park on pavements.   Crowding on pavements
> > is terrific and they cannot be used for cycling. Best wishes
> >
> > Kisan Mehta
> > President
> > Save Bombay Committee
> > 620 Jame Jamshed Road, Dadar East,
> > MUMBAI - 400 014
> > Tel 00 91 22 414 96 88
> > Fax 00 91 22 415 55 36
> >
> >