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

[Erica Schlaikjer]

In regards to the role of auto rickshaws in India, I recommend that you read
Megan McConville's latest post on TheCityFix:

http://thecityfix.com/the-role-of-auto-rickshaws-in-modern-indian-cities/




On 3/25/10 8:08 AM, "Sarath Guttikunda" <sguttikunda at gmail.com> wrote:

> 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
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>>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries
>>> (the 'Global South').
>>> 
>> --------------------------------------------------------
>> To search the archives of sustran-discuss visit
>> http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=014715651517519735401:ijjtzwbu_ss
>> 
>> --------------------------------------------------------
>> If you get sustran-discuss via YAHOOGROUPS, please go to
>> http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real
>> sustran-discuss and get full membership rights.
>> 
>> ================================================================
>> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred,
>> equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries
>> (the 'Global South').
>> 
> --------------------------------------------------------
> To search the archives of sustran-discuss visit
> http://www.google.com/coop/cse?cx=014715651517519735401:ijjtzwbu_ss
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------
> If you get sustran-discuss via YAHOOGROUPS, please go to
> http://list.jca.apc.org/manage/listinfo/sustran-discuss to join the real
> sustran-discuss and get full membership rights.
> 
> ================================================================
> SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people-centred, equitable
> and sustainable transport with a focus on developing countries (the 'Global
> South'). 

--
Erica Schlaikjer
Media Relations and Online Engagement Coordinator
EMBARQ ­ The WRI Center for Sustainable Transport
World Resources Institute
Mail: 10 G Street NE, Suite 800, Washington, DC, 20002
Phone: (202) 729-7722
Fax: (202) 729-7775
Email: eschlaikjer at wri.org
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