Intelligent Transport Systems and PPP in City Bus Systems for Indian Cities

Project Summary:

The population in the Kolkata Metropolitan Area (KMA) has exploded since India won its independence. In 1947 there were just 0.6 million residents, compared to a projected 21 million by 2025, and the city continues to struggle to recover from and manage this growth. KMA, unlike other mega cities in India, has a large number of public transport modes, from rickshaws and buses to trams and ferries. It is the integration of these systems and decongestion of the KMA that is the focal point of this green growth implementation program. Funding will go toward researching low-carbon solutions through a combination of smart urban planning, technology use, bus reform, pricing policies, and open space and land use planning. Once these factors come together, service will improve and the city will become more livable, able to grow in a sustainable way.  It will also allow for the transfer of knowledge on what works and what doesn’t with respect to design, phasing, and implementation of green development initiatives, including policy reforms, investments, and private sector engagement.

This grant is linked to Lending (9,200,000).

List of Activities:

• Identification of cross cutting issues in ITS/ PPP in Bus Operations
• Learning workshop
• Study tour
• Technical Support of experts to Cities
• Knowledge Exchange Workshops

Outcomes:

Output 1:

• Brainstorming & Group Discussion

Output 2:

• Learning Workshop organized

Output 3:

• Technical visit

Output 4:

• Capacity building through focused mentoring

Output 5:

• Workshops/ events organised

Outcomes:

The key outcomes of the proposed activity are linked to greater awareness and capacity building of project officials from 9 Indian cities. It was also expected that the activity led to development of good practice models in ITS and PPP in bus operations in public transport for replication in India. Multiple forms of capacity building activities like study tours, learning workshops, brainstorming sessions etc were tied together under this activity for the purpose of cross learning, experience sharing, expert advice and subject specific guidance. The officials from the implementing agencies were exposed to good practices in project planning, implementing and monitoring in areas like bus service operations, use of green technology and greener modes of transport, coordination and integrated planning examples and institutional strengthening. Officials were also benefited from focused guidance on cross cutting themes like innovative contracting techniques, use of ICT in service delivery and project monitoring. Cross learning events were planned so that cities can share and discuss their experiences and provide assistance to each other in areas of deficit.

Collaboration with K-Partners and Others:

• WBG internal partners: ICT Team; PPP Cross cutting
• External partners from Korea: Korea Transport Institute (KOTI), Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT), Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG), CENTIOS, Smart-city operators of Integrated Operations and Control Center (IOCC)
• Other external partners: MoUD, States and Project Cities