When I was living in Hyderabad during my early life, private transport was an alien to middle and lower strata. People would not mind walking half a kilometer to reach to nearest bus stop and wait for a bus. The wait was not too bad, considering the life was not too hectic. The buses were crowded and people did not have too many options, except the occassional Auto-rikshaws and even ricksahaws. That was so, well into early 90's.
Things have changed. The colonies are clogged with double-parked roads, no space for pedestrians for a walk. Work/Study commute is already a big challenge, consuming close to 2-3 hours (back and forth) which makes me wonder, what has it given in return? A hefty car loan, So much more time on the road, annual insurance, more cost of overall commute and filled up roads/parking lots, and not the least, a *pride* of owning a car, as owning a car has has become a symbol of dignity.
I have been in the USA for a while and felt that the suburban living necessitates the commute by car, as the weather is inclement and car lobbies prevent local governments to enable more public transport. If we look@India, the climate is very pleasant for good 9-10 months (not counting the pollution due to the vehicular count) and a 10 minute wait for a bus will save so much of all above and a brief walk to bus stop is not at bad, when there are no cars behind, honking to death.
The solutions can be both from individuals and government where the public transport should not be looked as a "for profit" and should be subsidized and draw the deficit from people who want to access the road (pay per use basis). The road tax should be abolished in such cases. Current mad rush on the roads can be controlled by economizing the better options, both for public good. People should form local bodies and arrange for local (within a colony) shuttle connecting to the arteries (main roads) and with GPS and mobility, the wait for bus/shuttle can further be reduced.. Possibilities are exciting and endless, for a better society.
A car can still be used for a vacation, for the thrill of driving and exploration.
Things have changed. The colonies are clogged with double-parked roads, no space for pedestrians for a walk. Work/Study commute is already a big challenge, consuming close to 2-3 hours (back and forth) which makes me wonder, what has it given in return? A hefty car loan, So much more time on the road, annual insurance, more cost of overall commute and filled up roads/parking lots, and not the least, a *pride* of owning a car, as owning a car has has become a symbol of dignity.
I have been in the USA for a while and felt that the suburban living necessitates the commute by car, as the weather is inclement and car lobbies prevent local governments to enable more public transport. If we look@India, the climate is very pleasant for good 9-10 months (not counting the pollution due to the vehicular count) and a 10 minute wait for a bus will save so much of all above and a brief walk to bus stop is not at bad, when there are no cars behind, honking to death.
The solutions can be both from individuals and government where the public transport should not be looked as a "for profit" and should be subsidized and draw the deficit from people who want to access the road (pay per use basis). The road tax should be abolished in such cases. Current mad rush on the roads can be controlled by economizing the better options, both for public good. People should form local bodies and arrange for local (within a colony) shuttle connecting to the arteries (main roads) and with GPS and mobility, the wait for bus/shuttle can further be reduced.. Possibilities are exciting and endless, for a better society.
A car can still be used for a vacation, for the thrill of driving and exploration.
