This investment will also strengthen the last mile connectivity for those travelling by Metro trains daily.
It further stated that the bus transport should be integrated with the water transportation along the coast. The report was launched by the state in the presence of World Economic Forum founder Klaus Schwab and aims to transform the MMR into a global economic hub.
"The buses and water transportation are labelled as ‘loss-making' and therefore the subsequent and constant push to reduce such services. But, actually, a well-planned bus and ferry transport network has proven to be much more effective in reducing city congestion, lowering air pollution, while also solving last-mile connectivity issues and providing access to emerging city areas," the report mentioned.
"Hence, investments and cross-subsidies (if required) to operate a well-connected buses and ferries ecosystem is vital for all cities," it stated.
Further, these buses and water transport vehicles should be planned as sustainable electric vehicles, which could aid in meeting sustainability targets for MMR, while also being cheaper in terms of the lifecycle cost of operations than diesel buses.
"With this view, specific investments into EV buses and coastal ferry services should be made and MMRDA should operate them on an integrated basis for the region (through private sector participation and the necessary viability gap funding)," the report stated.
Sources in BEST said the management may approach the govt and MMRDA to fund its procurement of new AC electric buses on wet lease, and this could help in solving the last-mile connectivity issues outside Metro stations along Lines 1, 2A and 7.
At present, there are complaints from commuters who travel uninterruptedly in Metro trains across the city but are unable to get a feeder line service of buses or autos in suburbs to reach the last mile destination (home/office).
An activist said every railway station has a feeder AC bus service. "Similarly, Metro stations should direct commuters as soon as they get down to a bus stop in its premises and have indicators for ‘Expected time of arrival of next bus'. He added that the Metro station should be similar to SATIS outside railway stations like Thane, where all modes of transport are easily accessible.
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