In the early stages of growth of any city, the vehicular trips are all road-based and are confined to modes like cycles, personalized cars, two-wheelers, and intermediate public transport (IPT) modes like cycle rickshaws, tongas, taxis, three- wheelers, tempos etc. As the city's population and size grows further, commuter trips tend to get concentrated on particular sections and routes and call for a larger transport unit like a mini-bus or a standard bus, which forms part of the public transport system. In larger cities, public transport system plays an increasingly important role. In cities like Kolkatta, Mumbai, Delhi, and Chennai, suburban rail services carry sizeable volumes of commuter trips. In Kolkatta, tramways also play a noticeable role besides the metro rail operation. With the increase in city complexities and advancement in technology, new systems like Automated Guided Transit (AGT) will soon be visible in metropolitan cities of India, the sign of which can already be seen with the proposal of Sky bus system (a suspended type AGT) for Mumbai city [GC)M(2000)].
While making selection of a particular mode of mass transport for any Indian City, the criteria should essentially be the volume and pattern of travel demand. But, besides this, the systems should also be judged by their, suitability for Indian conditions; effectiveness and efficiency in dependably performing their designated role(s); flexibility of operation, with wide applicability; capital requirement; energy sources and consumption; environmental impact, from the point of view of pollution and noise; aesthetics, including 'image'; available technology and indigenous capability; proven or non-proven technology; and future potential (especially in technological advancements).
The present paper studies, in detail, the alternative systems of urban mass transit and their system characteristics, and tries to establish their suitability for Indian Cities of various size and form.
