Density gradient and public transport patronage: a case study of Hyderabad

Abstract

Increasing density along the transit corridors is said to have a positive impact on adjoining public transport system. This theory is widely known and has been proved time and again through various researches within different parts of the world. However, this does not imply to Indian case scenario, where the cities already had the past woven into high densities and mixed land use character. After the economic reforms policies of 1990s the urban populating grew tremendously and far beyond the level of infrastructural provision to cope up with the same. Thus the city mobility needs, which are one of the strongest components of urban demand, saw a huge inclination for the use of private vehicles. Vehicle ownership within the cities grew exponentially in the past two decades. The study basically aims to highlight the contradicting nature of urban density with public transport utility within the city of Hyderabad. The paper will further explore the other possible reasons that have affected the modal share of public transport within the city. Hyderabad is the sixth largest city in the country and had achieved its million plus status in the year 1951 itself. The city has always been an iconic centre for trade and commerce and proudly holds the distinguished position of one of the magnificent IT hubs in the country. The city transportation system consists of extensive network of state transport bus services and Hyderabad Multi-Modal Transit system connecting major city nodes. But still, the modal share of public transport altogether lies very low from that prescribed URDPFI standard. The bus ridership in the city has fallen substantially within the last few years and almost 67 percent of total work trips are now carried out by the two wheelers. Thus the research aims to pin point the basic reasons behind the declining use of mass transit and substantiate it with appropriate measures that can restore its effectiveness within the city. The research will eventually evolve techniques that will enhance the public bus performance and its cost- effectiveness it as one of the most preferred transit option.