2010 Sustainable Transport Award Nominations

Headline

'Janmarg - A New Direction, A New Way, A Peoples Way' - BRTS makes a sound start in Ahmedabad

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Reasons for Nomination

The city of Ahmedabad, is the seventh largest city in India. The population size is close to 6 million. There are about 20 lakh registered vehicles in Ahmedabad and we are adding about 400 vehicles every day. Congestion is beginning to create a grid lock. As a way out of gridlock, the city chose a new direction by adopting Integrated Transport Strategies built around implementation of BRTS. The initiatives include: 1. CNG Conversion of Auto-Rikshaws: In 2005, in Ahmedabad, there were more than 50,000 auto rickshaws of which 15,000 auto rickshaws were more than 20 years old. Most of them used adulterated fuel (diesel and kerosene). All auto rickshaws registered before 1991 were scrapped. Owners of these auto rickshaws were convinced to buy modern CNG auto rickshaws. State, district and local administration helped in loan procurement. Auto rickshaws registered after 1991 were converted to CNG.CNG kit was provided at reasonable cost. 2. Public Transport Improvement: Bus fleet size increased from 560 to 1010 during 2005-2009. Of these 650 are privately operated EURO-III CNG buses replcing aged diesel buses. All school buses converted to CNG. Today Ahmedabad has 1200 CNG buses on road. 3. Janmarg- BRTS System Development: Developing 89 kms long BRT formed core part of the integrated transport programme. Ahmedabad transport strategy is focused on moving people and not on vehicles. We believe that all people should be able to move around in Ahmedabad with comfort and efficiency. They must feel safe and secure. Travel must be affordable. They must have choices for their mobility in terms of walking, bicycling, rickshaw, bus, BRT or any other form of transport depending on where they are going. To emphasize this, the system has been named as ‘Janmarg meaning peoples way’. BRTS Ahmedabad connects the central city, Kalupur with outlying industrial, institutional and residential areas through a network of over 88.8 kms. 80% of the network passes through low and middle income household areas. The BRT is not only about creating bus infrastructure, but also enhancing the quality of commuting for all users with dedicated bus lanes, cycle tracks, pedestrian facilities, personalised vehicles and optimum parking. BRTS Ahmedabad is designed to meet with highest standards and as a 'closed system'. Segregated busways, high floor buses, level boarding, external ticketing, accessible bus stops, PIS, smart cards are some of the highlights. A tree every 8 meters, lights on footpaths, benches, complete signage system are elements to take note of. Fare integration between bus systems and also between bus, BRT and parking is envisaged. The project is undertaken in 2 phases and the first stretch of the phase-1 between RTO-Pirana covering a distance of 12.5 kms will open for public soon. The system length will increase to 40 kms by December 2009 and to 84 kms by July 2010. A 4 km long elevated BRT will become operational by the end of 2011. Since July 3, the system is on a trial mode running free of charge. About a million people have already taken a ride on the system. Experts, having seen the system and its plan have described it as: ‘already a BRT Best Practice (Dario Hidalgo-http://www.embarq.org/en/node/1399)’, ‘country's first bus rapid transit system,.. and could draw high end crowd (S.K. Lohiahttp://www.dnaindia.com/india/ report_historic-brt-could-draw-high-end crowd_1280826)’ and Ahmedabad on modernity bus, says BRTS pioneer (Enrique Penalosa-http:// www.dnaindia.com/india/ comment_ahmedabad-on-modernity-bus-says-brts-pioneer_1280614). 4. Putting in place Management Systems - Advertisement Policy - Parking Policy (Introduction of piad on street parking) - Lane amrking and signage - Area Traffic Control System - A security system to suppliment tarffic police (BRT Police) 5. New Management Culture- Creation of Janmarg a company (SPV) to manage BRT 6. Creation of Urban Transport Fund (from advertisement revenue and parking revenue)to fund sustainable urban transport initiatives of the city 7. Creation of a Centre of Excellence in Urban Transport (Central Govt, Local Body support to University) Capital Cost:US $ 2.5 Million Bus Cost: (12 meter diesel euro-III) - US $ 62500/-

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Impact and significance

1.Improved air quality: Reduction in RSPM level from 198microgram /m3 to 82microgram /m3 by 2008 2. Increased Public Transport Patronage - Reular transit (AMTS) from 3,20,000/day in 2005 to 9,34,000 in 2009 - Accessible BRT with 12.5 Kms exclusive corridor 10 hour operation, with 14 buses, trail run- 18670 passengers/day increased ridership (women, old aged and physically challenged seem to patronage the system more!). - BRT Commercial speeds of 24 kms/hour 3. Safer Streets ( The city of Ahmedabad ranks very high on road safety account with annual road fatalities being less than 250. Comparable figures for other cities are: Surat-267, Bangalore-840, Hyderbad-424, Delhi>2500, London-204 and Singapore-190 4.Well lit, quality pedestrian and NMT facilities along 40 kms of phase-1 BRT corridor, signalized pedestrian crossings every 200 meters 5. Changed work culture leading to efficiency (Public-private partnerships) 6.Better traffic management 7. Cept University Master Degree programme in 'Urban transportation Planning and Management'. Participate in R&D;on urban transport including BRTS

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Transferability

'BRTS makes a sound start in Ahmedabad'. It has shown that BRT can work in India •Under weak enforcement regime, 'closed' system operations are likely to work better •Continuous Planning, •Network and not corridors, Complete systems & high standard . Selection of corridors . Bus & fare Collection Contracts •Strong Local Body leadership •Partnership between Local Body (AMC), Local University (CEPT) (Engineering Firm - LEA & International agency (ITDP)) •Media participation & Pubic Outreach .Trials and tests before start of commercial operations •Creation of Urban Transport Fund

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Background

Demographic and socio economic profile: Population (MILL) Year Alomaration Municipal 2001 5.40 4.52 2008 6.95 5.81 2011 7.40 6.19 Area 466 sq.km Density Persons/hectare Area Density (Persons/Hact) (Sq. Km) 2001 2008 Old AMC limit 180 216 New AMC Limit 77 106 Migration patterns Estimated at 35% of the population Average Household Income Rs 9945 per month (2007) Expenditure on Transport Rs 200 to 500 per month Spatial patterns of growth Ring Radial Mixed landuse and well developed network make the travel effort less with average trip length being 5.5 kms. Roadnetwork in AMC AMC Area (466 Sq. Kms) • Length- 2398 km • Unsurfaced roads (Km)-575 • Black topped-1823 (76 % of the roads) • Road Density- 5.2 per sq.km • 10 bridges, one more under construction • 9 rail over bridges and 5 under passes Trip Rate- 1.2 Walk Trips-13.2 % NMT Trips- 18.8% Public Transport- 15% Two wheeler- 35% Autos- 8.8% Cars –3.1%

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Supplementary web links

www.egovamc.com www.cept.ac.in www.ahmedabadbrts.org

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Ahmedabad_BRTS_-_Janmarg15.09_.09_

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