Bus operations in Chandigarh: a focus on multimodal integration

Abstract

India’s cities are afflicted with traffic congestion, pollution, and an increasing demand for efficient public transport. Chandigarh, a planned city and the shared capital of Punjab and Haryana, is no exception, facing growing mobility challenges due to rapid urbanization and regional expansion into Mohali and Panchkula. Despite its structured urban design, the city's public transport system remains fragmented, with standalone bus networks, inefficient last-mile connectivity, and poor coordination among modes, leading to over-reliance on private vehicles. This study assesses the extent of multimodal mobility integration in Chandigarh, with a focus on physical and operational coordination between city buses and the proposed metro network. The planned metro system, envisioned as the backbone of Chandigarh’s mass transit, requires well-integrated feeder services to enhance its accessibility and efficiency. Rationalizing bus routes to align with metro stations can eliminate redundancies, improve connectivity to high-density corridors such as Punjab University (Mohali), IT Park, and Sector 5 (Panchkula), and provide direct, affordable access to key employment and educational hubs. Currently, the lack of intermodal coordination results in multiple transfers, long waiting times, and higher travel costs, particularly affecting students, professionals, and low-income groups in peripheral areas. Synchronizing bus-metro schedules, integrating fare systems, and enhancing wayfinding can improve service efficiency and commuter convenience. Beyond improving accessibility, multimodal integration can help reduce congestion and pollution, as Chandigarh’s transport sector contributes over 30% of the city’s emissions, exacerbated by increasing private vehicle ownership. A seamless bus-metro network would encourage public transport use, support sustainable urban mobility, and enhance the city’s overall liveability. Additionally, better physical integration—through transfer hubs, pedestrian infrastructure, and real-time transit information—can facilitate effortless intermodal travel. In conclusion, strengthening the physical and operational integration of Chandigarh’s transport system is essential for developing an efficient, inclusive, and sustainable urban mobility network. By optimizing multimodal coordination, the city can improve accessibility, ease congestion, and promote equitable mobility solutions. Keywords: Multimodal integration, public transport coordination, sustainable mobility, route rationalization, feeder services, urban transport planning, last-mile connectivity.