CHENNAI: “I would love to travel by public transport to work if I don’t have to walk about three kilometres to the bus stop,” says Prithviraj, an advertising professional in South Chennai. “I don’t mind a morning walk to the bus stop provided our roads and footpaths had enough space for pedestrians,” he says. “There are comfortable AC buses for public transport in the city and I can save on fuel and avoid the pressure of driving on our roads. Unfortunately, I will have to bargain for space every day with the auto drivers or negotiate immense traffic and gutters on roads to walk to the bus stop.”Prithviraj is one of the few public transport enthusiasts who feel they do not get enough incentives to use the same. And, one of the main incentives, according to the users, is to improve their access to bus depots or railway stations. Experts point out that cities with advanced public transport systems provide facilities, including parking spaces, free bicycles and metered taxis or rickshaw stands, that make public transport more reliable. “I experimented travelling by bus to work for about a month as riding my bike was causing me severe backache,” says V Arul, who works in a private bank. “But on days when I return late, though I get a bus to my destination, I do not get an auto to reach home from the bus stop,” he says.“Price regulation of feeder vehicles and creation of parking facilities near crucial bus stops are the only ways to improve last mile connectivity,” says Balchand Theriyath, an expert, delivering a lecture organised by the Motor Transport Association.The only way to improve the market of para-transit vehicles like autos is by opening the market so that competition will benefit the users, Raj Cherubal, another expert, told Express.Recognising the importance of improving last mile connectivity, MTC is studying the possibility of setting up “park and ride” facilities at important areas including Thiruvanmiyur, Vadapalani and T Nagar, where commuters can park their vehicles and take a bus.
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