[sustran] Re: Is carsharing irrelevant for the Global South?

[Sarath Guttikunda]

to the car-less list.

I do not own a car and use the autorickshaws, bus, or rent-a-car, depending
on how many meetings I have and the accessibility of transport at various
locations. This saves me time from looking for parking, sitting behind the
wheel in congestion cursing the driver ahead of me, honking non-stop in hope
that the sound energy will some how transform the congested roads to lift
the cars into the air, and gives me time to read the papers.

Then, there was a statement last week by the Delhi Chief Minister, to ban
the Autorickshaws.

Is this good for promoting car-sharing?

Yes, the autorickshaw drivers can be annoying and at times, hard to bargain
with. Nevertheless, once in the routine and have an idea of the distances
and prices, one learns to bargains.

I am not talking from the perspective of the drivers and their incomes, but
from the mobility perspective. Yes, the autorickshaws move slower than the
regular-new-model-cars-and-suvs. But, they move people as much as the cars.
Without providing an adequate alternative, like at least doubling of the
public transport system, this is a sorry move.

Same goes for the car-sharing or taxis in the city. Too few.

Even after the metro becomes operational in Delhi, the role of autorickshaws
will garner a more prominent role in shuttling passengers between stations
to the residential and commercial neighborhoods. For example, take a look at
the two wheeler service in Bangkok at the sky train stations. Even, in
Mumbai, the concept of the shared taxis at the subway stations. An effective
service for the public, especially for the short trips, and an integrated
multi-modal transport system.

With regards,
Sarath

--
Sarath Guttikunda
New Delhi, India
Phone: +91 9891 315 946
@ http://www.urbanemissions.info
@ http://www.dri.edu/People/Sarath.Guttikunda/


On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 5:03 PM, Jains <alok.priyanka at gmail.com> wrote:

> Interesting point, Madhav.
>
> I have recently moved to India after living for 15 years in Hong Kong and
> enjoying a very good public transport system.
>
> In my quest to live car-less (which I must admit is not very easy in
> Mumbai), I am a regular user of rent-a-car system that you mention below.
> They are usually quite reliable. With phone numbers of a few of such
> providers stored in my phone, I have always managed to arrange one or the
> other. Has it prevented me to purchase a car? So far, yes. But when one
> looks at the public transport alternatives available, it is not very
> difficult for anybody who can afford to get convinced to purchase a car and
> use it regularly.
>
> Regards
> Alok Jain
>
> On Thu, Mar 25, 2010 at 3:57 PM, Madhav Pai <MPai at wri.org> wrote:
>
> > A form of car sharing in India very prevalent.
> >
> > In most cities you can rent a car/with a driver (half day:4 hours), full
> > day: 8-12 hours, few days even a few months). The cars are available in
> > all sizes small sedans to mini vans. The rates are pretty much fixed
> > across the country. It usually starts at 4 Hours, 40 Kms is 400 Rs (10
> > USD) for a low small sedan.
> >
> > Car ownership may vary between from one car (owner/driver) to a few
> > thousand cars.
> > There is also an increasing number of fleet managers. That take these
> > cars from individual owners/drivers, use technology elements (GPS
> > tracking), call center etc and make them available to offices/companies.
> >
> >
> > Would you call this car sharing?
> >
> > It would be interesting to study if the availability of these cars
> > - prevent people from buying cars
> > - do they end up buying smaller cars for city use and renting these
> > bigger cars for long trips
> > - what percentage of car use in our cities are these shared cars?
> > - if one these large companies could transform themselves into
> > membership based car sharing entities.
> >
> >
> > Sincerely;
> > Madhav Pai
> > Technical Director
> > EMBARQ - India
> >
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: sustran-discuss-bounces+mpai=wri.org at list.jca.apc.org
> > [mailto:sustran-discuss-bounces+mpai <sustran-discuss-bounces%2Bmpai><sustran-discuss-bounces%2Bmpai>=
> > wri.org at list.jca.apc.org] On Behalf
> > Of Eric Britton
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 24, 2010 2:05 PM
> > To: Sustran-discuss at list.jca.apc.org
> > Subject: [sustran] Is carsharing irrelevant for the Global South?
> >
> > Is carsharing irrelevant for the Global South?
> >
> > Should be transportation planners and policymakers working in cities the
> > developing world be taking the time to follow developments in other
> > places so that they are fully informed about planning and policy matters
> > as necessary for ensuring successful carsharing in their cities and
> > countries.
> >
> > We think they should. We (I guess that means me, but not really since I
> > know I am not alone in this)  firmly believe that carsharing is a
> > practical transportation alternative that is relevant for  just about
> > every place in the world where there are people who need to have access
> > to cars (and vans and trucks). It is not only a proven low carbon way to
> > have access to and use cars, but it makes economic sense for most
> > people, and (when it works
> > properly) is a lot more convenient to boot.
> >
> > So please keep up on carshare developments world wide and bear it in
> > mind that carsharing is "the last nail in the coffin of old mobility".
> >
> > Eric Britton
> >
> > For the World Carshare Consortium at  <http://www.worldcarshare.com>
> > www.worldcarshare.com
> >
> >
> >
> > Note: New Paris tel. +331 7550 3788 . Kindly change your records.
> >
> > World Streets  .   <http://www.worldstreets.org/> www.worldstreets.org
> > Open Edition: www.open.worldstreets.org 8/10, rue Jospeh Bara  .  Paris
> > 75006 France
> > +331 7550 3788  .   <mailto:eric.britton at newmobility.org>
> > eric.britton at newmobility.org  .  Skype newmobility
> > New Mobility Partnerships   .  <http://www.partners.newmobility.org>
> > www.partners.newmobility.org
> > 9440 Readcrest Drive  .   Los Angeles, CA 90210
> > +1 213 984 1277 .   <mailto:fekbritton at gmail.org> fekbritton at gmail.org .
> > Skype ericbritton
> >
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> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries
> (the 'Global South').
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