[sustran] Re: Information on 'Bike Taxi'

[Anil K. Raut]

I saw clearly two groups of people on this topic. One for the bike-taxis and another against it. However, both of them lack solid research logic. We are only selling our arguments and observations till now.

Let's keep this debate going for some time (see how far we would go). Now, I am trying to summarise what we have discussed about bike-taxis in last few days. Arguments - for and against it. I will post them after completion. May be we could then lead towards some research on this issue, as mentioned my Jonathan.

At this point, could anyone provide me the history of these bike-taxis? Like; are they operating in these cities from the very beginning or they have been introduced afterwards. There might be some literatures justifying its introduction. It would be very interesting to learn, why they were introduced? There might be some thought on these bike-taxis by the policymakers at that time.

Anticipating some literatures, not just arguments.

Regards,

Anil K. Raut
----------------------------
Anil K. Raut
P. O. Box 8846
Kathmandu, NEPAL
E-mail: ankraut at wlink.com.np; anil at environmentnepal.com.np
Tel: 977-1-4232761 (Res.)/977-9841233941 (Mobile)

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jonathan E. D. Richmond 
  To: Asia and the Pacific sustainable transport 
  Sent: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 10:34 AM
  Subject: [sustran] Re: Information on 'Bike Taxi'



  Craig has excellent points to make. There is a very deep need for
  serious systematic research, but this is unlikely to be funded unless an
  international agency takes it on: units of government are far more
  concerned with prestige projects.

  Not only women with children but the elderly and handicapped are poorly
  catered for in general, although I might add that it is common to see a
  whole family on a motorbike. The walking infrastructure is a disgrace and
  makes travel hard for people without cars. Many walkways are broken and
  dangerous. Difficult obstacles are common -- to get from the major bus
  arrival point at Rangsit to Future Park, one of the largest shopping malls
  in Thailand, requires using a highway overpass whose first step is more
  than a foot high and running across several traffic lanes after crossing
  the first highway.

  As to Singapore, the government has made a strong effort to provide
  pleasant walking environments. The covered passageways in the housing
  estates are a case in point. Still, when light rail was introduced,
  requiring longer average access walks than for the previous bus service,
  there were many complaints, and pressure has resulted in restoration of
  some of the bus services. The walking environment in Bangkok is in dire
  need of a complete overhaul, but I doubt the political will can be found
  to do this, and I also doubt this would in itself change cultural
  attitudes.

                                           --Jonathan

  -----

  Jonathan E. D. Richmond                               02 524-5510 (office)
  Visiting Fellow                               Intl.: 662 524-5510
  Transportation Engineering program
  School of Civil Engineering, Room N260B               02 524-8257 (home)
  Asian Institute of Technology                 Intl.: 662 524-8257
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  Thailand                                      Intl:  662 524-5509

  e-mail: richmond at ait.ac.th               Secretary:  Ms. Nisarat Hansuksa
          richmond at alum.mit.edu               02 524-6051
        Intl:  662 524-6051
  http://the-tech.mit.edu/~richmond/

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