Sunday, April 27, 2014

India Politics and Transportation Issues

Sustainable Cities Collective : "Should buses and public transport be given importance only during formal inauguration? When buses are given due respect similar to that of a marriage bride, shouldn’t’ the father and mother of bride (here, politicians claiming to be mother and father of buses) also take care? Is the role of fathers and mothers only limited until the inaugural sessions? Isn’t it the duty of politicians to also look after sustainability of public transport? Neglecting public transport is like celebrating the birth of child with great pomp and joy and then leaving the child on its own to grow up and become a goon or dacoit.For a developing nation like India, which is world’s second most populous country and has to depend on external aid for meetings 80% of its crude oil demand, it is now a high time that politicians, godfathers and godmothers of different states and political parties think seriously towards the investments made in public transport and act towards sustainability and promotion of public transport, come out of the old fashion of thinking public transport and new buses as the subject of ‘Inauguration Only’. If India wishes to achieve cost cutting in fuel consumption, oil imports and carbon emissions, 'politicians' will have to play a pivotal role in leveraging public transportation. "

Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Kathmandu is literally paving paradise

Nepal News Portal: "There is no possibility to widen roads infinitely. Therefore, Nepal needs to learn from the experiences of other cities to promote public transportation systems immediately. Public transport has the capacity to solve the challenges of increasing mobility, improving quality of life, controlling road accidents and traffic accidents. Nepal is in dire need of a public transport system that is safe, secure, reliable, integrated, smooth, comfortable, economical, efficient, and affordable. Once the level of service of public transport reaches close to the levels of private vehicle use, people will automatically shift from private to public transportation. Bus Rapid Transit in Curitiba, Bogota, Jakarta, Ahmedabad etc. has delivered results and has set examples. Economically sound countries have opted for metro, tram and buses and the developing countries have focused on bus transit. A well developed bus transit is economic to implement and has the capacity to satisfy mobility needs of the people. It is a well-accepted fact that there is no alternative to developing public bus services in Nepal. The solution is to move people by public buses, walking, and bicycles. - See more at: http://www.thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php? "