Population
increase and congestion in cities is fuelling demand for ‘smart city’ transport
technologies among consumers in India, one of the world’s fastest growing
economies. According to a new report from the Future Foundation, commissioned
by MasterCard, Indians in bigger cities likes Delhi, Mumbai and Chennai feel
that the local governments could be doing more to leverage new technology to
improve urban transport services.
Traffic
congestion and pollution arising from the use of private cars has become
unsustainable throughout the country. The provision of real-time travel
information will be key factor in encouraging the use of public transport over
private. According to the report, 37 per cent of Indians and 34 per cent of
Chinese surveyed already use smartphone travel apps at least once a month. In
addition, in India, 59 per cent of respondents mentioned that they are using
cars less often for journeys. The focus has shifted towards public transport
and the success of Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Ahmedabad has encouraged other
Indian cities to adopt the system. As payments have a critical role to play in
BRT system, the respondents acknowledge that contactless payments and
innovation in the fare collection system can help ease congestion by
incentivizing travel at less busy times.
The
report, ‘Connecting Cities - Mobility:
Unlocking Potential in Emerging Markets,’ has unveiled that the governments
of emerging markets like India are recognizing the importance of data in
providing better services, while over half of urban residents are happy to
share their user data to improve transport in their city. The report also shows
how effected mobile devices can be in aiding more efficient travel, through
mobile payment, real-time travel updates or map services. 64 per cent of the
respondents from India said they will be interested in a smartphone or tablet
app that provided real-time travel updates.
Key Excerpts of the Report:
* Over half of
urban residents surveyed are happy to share their user data to improve transport
in their city, with Chinese (59%) and Indian (53%) residents most keen.
* 8% of city residents surveyed in China did not want to
share their behavioural data in any circumstances, less than in India (13%) and
Brazil (19%).
* Appetite for a service that monitors a travel route and advises on
suitable alternative travel options was strongest in India (90%), with Brazil (85%) and China following closely (77%).
* The use of travel apps is growing rapidly; 37% of Indians and 34% of Chinese surveyed
already use smartphone travel apps at least once a month.
* Residents in India and China’s biggest cities (Mumbai,
Delhi, Chennai, Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong) felt the local governments
could be doing more to make improvements to the city using new technology.
* There was strong desire in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong
Kong for a bike and/or car sharing scheme that can be booked via a smartphone.
* There has been a step-change in behaviour across all the
markets surveyed, with 65% of respondents in China claiming to have increased
walking, cycling and public transport use. 59% in India and Brazil said the
same.
* There was strong interest in cars that drive
themselves in India (82%), China (77%) and Brazil (73%), as well as cars that
can re-program a travel route to avoid congestion.
