<BODY> We must all be happy that there is some discussion on improving access, safety and possibly equity in public transport in India, thanks to the costs and inefficiency associated with private modes. In this context, the organisers of the seminar on public transport systems for Chennai have a little bit of explaining to do: 1. The Metro rail line (MRTS) currently operational in Chennai are under the Union Government of India, where the founders of the "Pasumai Thaayagam" movement hold power, and one of their leaders is Minister for Railways. Yet, this "green movement" has done little to popularise the use of the rail system. On the contrary, the Minister in charge of railways lamented that there were no takers for the expensive real estate built along with the stations, to provide for better land use and integration policies. What has this movement done about it? The MRTS is a little known entity because it does not have: <UL> <LI> A distinct identity in terms of colour, logo and signages.</LI> <LI> No accessible travel information systems even within the territories managed by the entity.</LI> <LI> Lack of pride in the railways to highlight this mode as a major accomplishment.</LI></UL> Has anything been done on such issues? Will a BRT system be managed with a different paradigm by essentially what is the same establishment? 2. A sound integration strategy would have ensured campaigns demanding that available buses in the city (which are in a bad shape) be linked closely to the MRTS, and the suburban train lines running along two corridors of Chennai, North-South and North-West. Why has the NGO not pursued this ? 3. The vagaries of fuel price have ensured that the feeder mode of transport in Chennai, the three-wheeled autorickshaws, now accept trips only on negotiation. This is not the most optimal strategy and living costs have mounted because there is no system to factor in the changing fuel prices in fare structure. The overall scheme of transport must thus think about how to put these feeder services to better use. 4. Fare collection for existing monopoly bus service in Chennai is archaic. Could it have been improved without induction of automation in the first instance? Do fares have to be necessarily collected when you board? The answer is not difficult to imagine. Activism has generally ignored this primary question. Monthly tickets have been consciously discouraged in Chennai, because this is perceived to cut into the "incentive" that conductors get when they issue the tickets to the passengers IN the bus. Thus, we have management policies that militate against modernisation even in the conventional sense. Seminars will achieve more if they are more comprehensive in their scope. Anant   ----- Original Message ----- From: arul rathinam <arulgreen@yahoo.com> Date: Monday, February 20, 2006 11:29 pm Subject: [sustran] CHENNAI: Seminar on Public Transport Systems for Chennai ?25 February 2006, Saturday > Dear Sir/Madam > > Pasumai Thaayagam is happy to invite you for a > half-day ?Seminar on Public Transport Systems for > Chennai? > > The Seminar will be held on 25th February 2006 ? > Saturday ? 3.30 pm to 07.00 pm. > > At IMAGE Auditorium, MRC Nagar, R.A.Puram, Chennai ? > 28 (Ph: 2493 4638). > > Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, Honorable Union Minister for > Health and Family Welfare, > > Prof. Dinesh Mohan, Professor and Coordinator, > Transportation Research and Injury Prevention > Programme, I.I.T. New Delhi, > > Prof. T. Anantharajan, Former Professor, Anna > University, > > Mr. M. G. Devesagayam, Sustain, > > Dr. S. Janakarajan, MIDS > > Mrs. Shoba Iyer, CAG and many other environmentalists > will participate. > > If you are in Chennai, we look forward to your > presence at the Seminar. > > Kindly send your confirmation for the participation in > the seminar to: pasumaimail@yahoo.co.in (or) 044 ? > 2817 2120, 94443 44331 > > With regards > > R.ARUL, Secretary, > PASUMAI THAAYAGAM (Green Mother Land), > No. 9,(old No: 5), Lynwood Lane, > Mahalingapuram, > CHENNAI -600 034. > > Tel: 044 ? 2817 2120 > > Fax: 044 ? 2817 2122 > > Cell: 94443 44331 > > Email: pasumaimail@yahoo.co.in > > www.p-t.in > > > Transport in Chennai > > Chennai (formerly Madras) is the urban primacy of > Tamil Nadu. Chennai Metropolitan Area (CMA) covers an > area of 1177 sq. kilometers. CMA had a population of > 5.7 millions in 1997 and it has increased to 7 million > now. > > The total number of motor vehicles in Chennai has > increased from 144,282 in 1984 to 1,674,185 in 2005. > Between year 1992 and 2005 the number of motorized two > wheelers increased from 433,046 to 1,266,114 and the > number of motor cars has increased from 122,531 to > 301,128. About 450 vehicles are registered every day > in Chennai. That means 13,000 vehicles in a month and > 160,000 a year. > > This trend has created many problems like > environmental pollution, noise, traffic fatalities and > injuries, congestion, and mobility problems. > > The majority of the city people use public transport, > bicycles and pedestrian paths ? but these modes are > totally neglected in Chennai. > > While the personalized motorized modes had increased > manifold over the years, the growth in fleet of buses > is abysmally poor. The compound growth rate of bus > fleet that was of the order of 9 percent during > 1970-80 had reduced to 6 percent during 1980-90 was > about 4.2 percent for the period 1990-2000 and it is > seen to be static now. The total number of buses in > Chennai is 2773; out of these 1294 buses are more then > 8 years old, that means Chennai has 1500 buses only. > The passenger growth has decreased from 4,300,000 in > 1998 to 3,300,000 in 2005. > > There are no segregated lanes for non-motorist > transport and safer pedestrian facilities. > > Pasumai Thaayagam demands: > > (1) improved public transport ? i.e. at least 5000 > buses (with 3500 new buses), traffic priority for > buses, and possibly Bus Rapid Transit, > > (2) provision of improved rights of way for > pedestrians and bicyclists, > > (3) better air quality. > > __________________________________________________ > Do You Yahoo!? > Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around > http://mail.yahoo.com > > > ================================================================ > SUSTRAN-DISCUSS is a forum devoted to discussion of people- > centred, equitable and sustainable transport with a focus on > developing countries (the 'Global South'). Because of the history > of the list, the main focus is on urban transport policy in Asia. > </BODY>