Last Mile Connectivity to Mass Transit Systems in India
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This webinar was hosted on the 8th of August, 2017, from 3:00 to 4:00 PM (IST), and presented by Dario Hidalgo, Director – Integrated Transport, WRI.
With 50 cities in India planning metro rail systems, there are high hopes for improved productivity and quality of life for citizens. However, based on the findings of the STation Access and Mobility Program (STAMP), executed by WRI India in collaboration with Toyota Mobility Foundation, connectivity to metro stations continues to be one of the main reasons why people are unable to use the metro. There is a need to broaden the scope of urban transportation beyond traditional models, and bolster the system by making it more accessible, integrated and equitable for commuters.
STAMP fosters entrepreneurial and citizen-led solutions for high-quality last-mile connectivity to mass transit networks in Indian cities, starting with Namma Metro in Bengaluru. The initiative, catalysed through the STAMP Challenge, attracted over 80 applications, from which the top five proposals have been selected for testing in the city. WRI India and TMF look forward to enabling a robust ecosystem for urban mobility through the data-driven and innovative solutions that are part of STAMP.
This webinar addressed the importance of last-mile connectivity in inducing a modal shift to public transit in cities, by leveraging the potential of innovation and entrepreneurship. The discussion threw light on how other Indian cities can benefit from the STAMP model of engagement, and drew on global experiences of multi-stakeholder approaches to seamless urban mobility. Key takeaways from the webinar included:
- Additional investments are necessary on transport modes around transit stations in order to develop a better integrated urban transit network.
- Efforts to improve accessibility, integration, and awareness regarding mobility networks in the city have great potential for increasing the ridership of mass transit systems.
- Non-motorized and intermediate public transit (like auto- and cycle-rickshaws) play a key role in last-mile connectivity to mass transit hubs in Indian cities. Considering this, there is an urgent need to integrate and organize these transport modes into larger urban mobility plans.
- Innovative models of shared and connected transport systems should be leveraged in order to enhance and aid seamless integration with public transit in the city.
- Indian cities are characterized by high urban population densities. This can be viewed as an advantage for implementing transit oriented development.
View the webinar presentation here.
View the webinar recording here.