Date : 27/09/2023

Relevance – GS Paper 1 – Urban Planning

Keywords – CNG-powered buses, Public Transportation, Traffic Congestion, Infrastructure

Context

• Cities recognize the need to improve public transportation due to its potential benefits, including reduced carbon emissions, improved air quality, and better health for residents. Public transport also reduces noise pollution and fuel consumption, and it's safer than personal vehicles.
• Moreover, investing in public transport is more cost-effective than building and maintaining infrastructure for cars.
• However, it doesn't always guarantee a reduction in traffic congestion, challenging the idea that it alone can solve this issue.

Traffic Congestion and Public Transport

• Despite the expectation that having good public transportation would reduce the number of people using personal vehicles and ease traffic congestion, this doesn't always happen. Many cities have invested heavily in public transit systems, but traffic jams persist or even get worse.
• Take London, for example. It has one of the world's most extensive public transportation networks, including subways, trains, buses, boats, trams, and more. However, London consistently ranks high in traffic congestion, and the number of registered cars in the city keeps increasing, showing that public transport alone doesn't discourage people from owning cars.
• Similarly, cities like Bogotá and Curitiba in South America have efficient bus systems that gained international recognition. Still, they struggle with traffic congestion and score high on congestion measures.
• In India, Delhi has dedicated a large part of its land to roads, developed an extensive metro system, and operates a sizable fleet of CNG-powered buses, along with a BRTS. Yet, traffic congestion remains a significant problem. Pune, another Indian city, has invested in public transport but is one of the most congested cities globally.
• Even Bengaluru, known as India's tech hub, has made substantial improvements in public transportation, including a metro system, a vast bus network, and various options for alternative transit. Despite these efforts, it's the second-most congested city according to the TomTom index, with traffic conditions getting worse.

The Complex Appeal of Personal Vehicles

• To figure out why traffic congestion remains a problem despite having good public transport, we need to understand why many people still prefer using their own cars. People who drive cars regularly choose them over public transport because they see several advantages in owning a personal vehicle.
• These advantages include the feeling of freedom and independence, the ability to set their own schedules, the comfort of a private space, the reliability of having their vehicle always available, and the sense of security that comes with it. For many, driving is a pleasant experience, especially when they're out with their families. Owning a car can also symbolize status and carry cultural and psychological importance.
• Moreover, in recent years, car manufacturers have made significant progress in addressing some of the downsides associated with personal vehicles. Modern cars are more eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and come equipped with safety features like airbags. Road construction projects also prioritize safety, making personal vehicles even more attractive to people.

The Global Rise of Car Usage

The evidence shows that, despite the environmental improvements in personal vehicles and the proliferation of public transportation systems, the use of cars continues to rise globally. Between 1950 and 1990, the number of motorized vehicles worldwide increased significantly, with approximately 80 percent of them dedicated to personal transportation. This trend was not limited to a specific region; passenger kilometers by private cars per capita increased by 90 percent in Western Europe between 1970 and 1990.

Public Transportation: An Ongoing Necessity

Despite the challenges and the persistent appeal of personal vehicles, public transportation remains a critical element of urban planning and development. There are three compelling arguments that continue to support the importance of public transport in cities:

• Environmental Benefits: Public transportation significantly reduces carbon emissions, leading to a notable reduction in air pollutants and improved air quality. These environmental advantages directly translate into health benefits for city residents, particularly through decreased respiratory ailments. Moreover, public transport reduces noise pollution and promotes fuel efficiency, contributing to a cleaner and healthier urban environment.
• Equity: Public transportation serves as an essential lifeline for the urban poor and those who do not own cars or two-wheelers. In many cities, this demographic constitutes the majority of the population. Public transport offers reliable and affordable mobility solutions, ensuring that transportation remains accessible to all segments of society.
• Counterbalance to Private Transport: City dynamics evolve over time, and circumstances may lead more individuals to choose public transport over personal vehicles. Factors such as worsening traffic congestion, longer commute times, increased stress, rising costs associated with car ownership, and disincentives imposed by city administrations can influence people's transportation choices. Public transportation must remain a viable and attractive option for these commuters.

Towards a Balanced Future

• While public transport alone may not eliminate traffic congestion, it remains an essential component of urban mobility solutions.
• Cities should adopt a multifaceted approach to address congestion effectively.
• This approach should not only focus on improving public transport but also on policies that target the functional, psychological, and cultural values associated with personal vehicles.
• Additionally, enhancing the performance of public transport to bridge the gap between personal vehicles and public transportation is crucial.

Conclusion

The relationship between public transportation and traffic congestion is complex and multifaceted. While public transport offers numerous environmental, safety, and equity advantages, it does not always succeed in reducing traffic congestion as expected. The appeal of personal vehicles, driven by factors like freedom, comfort, and cultural significance, continues to contribute to rising car usage globally. Nevertheless, public transportation remains indispensable in addressing urban challenges and providing accessible mobility options for all residents. Cities must continue to invest in both improving public transport and implementing policies that encourage a shift away from personal vehicles, creating a more balanced and sustainable urban transportation ecosystem.

Source – ORF