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?