Interesting video specifically on the disappointing state of public transport in India. Major takeaways for me:
- Many Indian cities are investing in (expensive and flashy) metros, which are posting disappointing ridership numbers, but
- Most Indian commuters are travelling distances short enough that biking or using rickshaws are quicker
- India’s metros are significantly more expensive for riders than other methods of transport
- Bus fleets in Indian cities aren’t growing, while their populations are expanding rapidly
- Traffic engineers/policymakers suffering from carbrain (sound familiar?)
Interesting watch, I’d say, as a non-Indian who doesn’t see much content about the world’s most populous country posted much
Given the dominance of two-wheelers, with some clever marketing wouldn’t it possible to encourage more e-bikes and hybrids? Electric scooters could be subsidized, Maruti can market, etc.
People are very susceptible to popular things as you say, and I do agree it would need to happen gradually.
Hybrids: irrelevant and complex red herring that’s already on the way out. E-bikes: sure. But electric scooters will be the real salvation IMO. It’s a drop-in replacement which is actually cheaper and simpler. Path already blazed by China. The end of the abominable combustion scooter is now just a matter of time.