Bus-based Public Transport (BBPT) systems have an important role in making city life comfortable and providing the urban dweller access to education, jobs, social life etc. An efficient, flexible and responsive city bus based public transport system can help citizens save time, money by providing safe, accessible, affordable, comfortable services. There are co-benefits of climate change mitigation and better air quality in the city.
However, not a single city in India has an adequate public transport system. Out of over 7000 cities, only 198 have city bus services. The consequences are loss of Gross Domestic Product due to traffic congestions, stressful commute, road rage, unsafe travels, fatalities on road, deteriorating air quality in the city impacting health of vulnerable city dwellers. It is evident that bus-based public transport in cities needs immediate attention.
In recognition of the role that the Central Government can and must play to encourage the shift to sustainable and affordable modes of transport in line with the National Urban Transport Policy (NUTP),
We, the SUM Net (Sustainable Urban Mobility Network), put forth the following Charter of Demands with a focus on intra-city bus services. We hope that the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, Government of India will incorporate the Charter of Demands in appropriate policies, programmes and schemes.
You can read the full Charter of Demands here.