Public transport electrification strategy and action plan in Ahmedabad and Mehsana

• Urban transport is one of the leading contributors to GHG emissions in cities
• Despite policymakers’ efforts to promote electric mobility through policies and support schemes, the rate of EV adoption in India is still quite low
• Poor public transport services have seen more and more bus users shifting to private modes or shared intermediate public transport systems
• IPT drivers, predominantly from low-income backgrounds, generally lack awareness of the benefits of electric vehicles – and the available subsidies to purchase one

This project supported the cities in moving towards a sustainable, affordable and inclusive low carbon future through the development of a comprehensive electrification strategy for PT and IPT in Ahmedabad and Mehsana. Key results include:

• Strategy and action plan for the electrification for public bus and IPT in Ahmedabad
• Creation of stakeholder networks in both cities to bring together all actors from the local transport ecosystem who could enable the transition (including local authorities, transport companies, business associations, etc.)
• Training programmes for frontline staff (including field officer, field supervisors, ticketing staff, guards) on customer orientation
• Workshops with city officials and transport agencies on the barriers and opportunities of transport electrification
• National and international study visits for mid/senior level officials to provide exposure to a range of sustainable mobility measures and best practices adopted in similar cities
• Workshops for drivers to build awareness on electric vehicles‘ costs, operations and processes to help them make an informed decision when buying one

Throughout the delivery of the project, GESI activities were consistently embedded in all activities, enabling to build several lessons and enhanced project outcomes. Key GESI learnings and achievements include:

• Focus group discussions (FGDs) were organised with public transit (PT) users/non-users living in informal settlements and economically weaker section (EWS) housing
• Training was held to support frontline staff with sensitisation towards customers, focusing on common customer concerns, such as women travelling on busy buses. Targeted training for female bus conductor was also held
• The perception survey of women bus users showed that 61% of the users who previously travelled by either by 2-wheelers or private auto have started using the city bus service as a result of the project activities. Besides experiencing a significant reduction in travel costs, the women highlighted safety, reliability, convenience, time saving and comfort as some of the key reasons for the shift in mode
• Discussion on including women in the electric auto-rickshaws industry were held with businesses and banks, including opportunities to offer concessional loans for women interested in purchasing one

Building on the successful project implementation, stakeholders are expected to take forward the following next steps:

• Continuation of training programmes for frontline staff
• Development of charging infrastructure across the eight identified locations in Mehsana and Ahmedabad
• Continuation of stakeholder consultation to receive buy-in, with particular attention user considerations of low-income communities and women

Significant barriers to the inclusion of more women in the e-3wheelers industry are still present, in particular when it comes to accessing finance to purchase vehicles. Concessional financing options for female drivers should be considered to incentivise uptake.