<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2912" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#ffffff> <DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><FONT color=#ff0000 size=1> <P><EM>" Desperate Times require Desperate measures"</EM></P></FONT></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">The Problem with Indian cities is that people will use the public transportation if it is <STRONG>cheap</STRONG> and has high Level of Service.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">One can see people hanging in the overcrowded buses even without having good LOS.  </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">The answer to ever multiplying congestion can be any good traffic demand management technique BRT, Metro etc..</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">Congestion will never on itself attract the masses to public transportation. <FONT color=#000080>The government should provide the suitable alternative</FONT>.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">Congestion is never in itself a TDM tool, The government should channel the desire of public to escape congestion by offering good sustainable transportation.  </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">I had advocated <STRONG>metro </STRONG>in my earlier mail as I firmly believe that in a long run (say 10-15 years down the line) it will push people away from personal automobiles.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">Other public transportation modes such as buses can augment metro efficiency if properly planned.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">Metro is not a "magician's wand" which would disappear congestion in a flash.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">Metro in Delhi may or may not provide profits to the government right now. The government decision making should not be influenced by such short term profits.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">In long run the metro investment will serve its purpose. <STRONG>It takes time to attract "choice riders"</STRONG> .</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">I don't believe that the person will not walk just because he does not have footpath.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"> Provision of Footpath and other facilities will attract pedestrians no doubt.In India many poor people walk from bus station </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">to work place or to home as they don't have any other alternative. You cannot expect a car owner to cycle around 10km just because government has provided him a cycle track.It may not work in India as a normal one way work trip in Indian metro's is easily more than 5-10km.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">if you want to attract a person with better alternative than you have to provide even better service.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><STRONG>The best answer for any city is provision of cheap public transportation with good level of service .</STRONG></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">I don't feel that there is any controversy with above statement.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">I feel the provision of Metro is a step in right direction. BRT may not work for all the corridors.</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">As the land acquisition is a big problem. People in India don't have lane discipline. </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">One can see people driving on footpaths, one ways (opposite direction) and jumping signals. </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">BRT may be a short term improvement measure but It may not work exceedingly well for entire city. </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><FONT color=#000080>Just imagine if any city in world offers free ride in Public transportation with excellent service.</FONT> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><FONT color=#000080>Hope this dream becomes a reality.</FONT></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">Regards</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">Sudhir</DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>