A Review Study on Urban Public Transportation and Management

Abstract

Cities play a vital role in promoting economic growth and prosperity. The development of cities chiefly depends upon their physical, social, and institutional infrastructure. In this context, the importance of intraurban transportation is supreme. Before covering every aspect of urban transportation, it chiefly focuses on those areas that are important from a policy point of view. The article first reviews the trends of vehicular growth and availability of transport infrastructure in Indian cities. This is tracked by a discussion on the nature and magnitude of urban transport problems such as congestion, pollution, and road accidents. Indian cities cannot afford to provide only to private cars and two-wheelers and there must be a general recognition that policy should be designed in such a way that it decreases the need to travel by personalized modes and boosts public transport system. This need both an increase in quantity as well as quality of public transport and effective use of demand as well as supply-side management measures. Altogether, people should be fortified to walk, and cycle and government should support investments that make cycling and walking safer. Public transportation is often framed as a key component of building sustainable cities. Equally, the social, economic, and environmental impacts of transport are outlined as critical issues that can challenge the sustainability of cities and regions. This article provides an overview of urban public transportation and its management in India.