Clean it Up, Don’t Throw it AwayGreening Delhi’s Paratransit

Graduate School of Architecture, Planning and PreservationColumbia University

Monica Bansal

Prepared for:EMBARQWashington, DCMarch 16, 2007

Agenda

Context

Case

Impetus and Methodology

Findings

Recommendations

Q & A

Our dependence on transportation grows…

Paratransit. The essential service

Unique place in the Indian transportation system

Substitute for private car trips

Source of employment and entrepreneurial outlet

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

The downside of paratransit

What should be done?

It pollutes.

In Kolkata:

of the vehicle population

of the vehicular air pollution35%

5%

Elimination?

Substitution through TDM?

Formalization?

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

Delhi Cleans up its Paratransit

CNG: Primary method for pollution reduction

Target: Captive fleet

The Downward Trend

The Upward Trend

PM10 down 24%

CO down 32%

SO2 down 39%

10,200 buses

52,623 auto-rickshaws

5,043 taxis

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

Profile of an Auto Operator

Age: 21-50

Family size: 5-8 dependants

Salary: 3,000 INR/month (~60 USD)

Rural-urban migrants

The Ownership Structure

Although it’s uncertain, renters are thought to be the majority

The earnings for renters are less than half of that of owners

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

Can the program be considered a success?

Methodology

Desired Outcome

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

Semi-structured interviews with 32 operators

Stakeholder Interviews (government, NGO, and private)

Collection of data from key stakeholders

Qualitative results supporting the idea that through CNG, Delhi has become a model of paratransit incorporation while prioritizing the environment

Success? Yes…and No.

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

Forced Financial Incentives

Enforcement

Regulation Direct

Pricing Subsidies

DFC LoansSales Tax Exemptions

Restrictionof Permits

Indirect

The Stick

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

Threat of enforcement: The primary reason for converting

Regulation:

New emissions standards

PUC certificates

Fitness test

Has Delhi integrated its paratransit?

The Carrot

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

Government Loans:

Sales Tax Exemptions:

Fuel Pricing and Taxation:

Unknown and unused

Untaxed CNG = 71% savings over petrol

The Carrot?

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

Disincentives:

Perverse incentives:

Low scrap values

High replacement costs

Cap on new registrations

Creation of a grey market for permits

Publicly created monopolies?

The Impacts

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

The focus was Environmental

Pollution reductions

What about RSPM?

Taking the Polluter Pays Principle too far…

Neglecting Renters: Rents rose 150%, fares did not

Rising debt burdens: Private loans to pay back DFC

The Missing Planning Process

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

Critical Infrastructure

Maintenance Problems

Lack of knowledge and training

High costs and frequent repairs

Inadequate number and

type of filling stations

Future Applications

Emulation across India

The electric auto-rickshaw

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

Recommendations

A better plan

More appropriate subsidies

Partnerships with stakeholders, like Bajaj

Way Ahead:Quantitative study with larger sample sizes

Study of the ill-studied industry

Full impact analysis upon paratransit

Intro Case Question Findings Recommendations Onward

Areas for further research at EMBARQ:

Examination of similar conversion programs (pre-implementation)

Study of further alternative fuel applications

Analysis and development of integrated transportation plans

Questions?Comments?