Mobility of Para Trasnport System (Pts) For Trichy

Abstract

India is currently facing a huge lack of public transport and it does not seem probable to fix this gap in near future with the current practices as it further expands with boom in population and economic growth. Para transit System in India has been an important mode of transport. It has certain advantage being pro-poor and readily available but it has been constantly overlooked in transport planning of Indian cities. Being a major transport system, it still suffers the fluctuations of supply and demand. Also, there are other major shortcomings associated with the operation of Para-Transits viz. overcrowding, no separate parking space, air & noise pollution and arbitrary fare pricing. Para Transport System of Tiruchirapallyhas been undertaken in this study. In Tiruchirapally, a large fleet of buses are available from early morning to late night on all major routes which are managed by City Corporation while there is no comprehensive plan for the Para transit vehicles which are second major public transport system in the city. This study classifies and explains operational characteristics of the Para transit vehicles in the city using data collection from RTOs and questionnaire surveys to the drivers and passengers of the paratransit vehicles. A map of the auto and taxi stands surveyed is also prepared using GIS tools. The analysis of this data allows us to draw a number of conclusions on the economics of the industry as well as the social aspects associated with it.

It also discusses the characteristics of the users of these Para transit vehicles as well as their typical use. This analysis has been used to develop an understanding of the manner in which the industry is being operated today. The paper concludes with a synopsis of the profile of the industry and its role within the wider transport sector.