Commentary
PlaceholderWhy Bus Ridership Matters More Than Metro Ridership
Metro lines attract attention and investment. Buses carry far more people in Kerala, and their decline deserves at least as much concern.
Research Fellow Two
Research vertical 07
Mobility
How people and goods move across a densely settled state, and how transport policy can make journeys safer, cleaner, fairer and quicker.
Kerala’s settlements run almost continuously along its coast and midlands, which makes transport both essential and difficult. Roads are crowded, private vehicle ownership has grown quickly and road safety remains a serious concern.
Why it matters
Transport decisions shape where people can live and work, how much time they lose to travel, what they breathe and whether they arrive safely. Large projects such as metro lines, highways and proposed rail corridors involve heavy public investment and often provoke strong disagreement. Smaller decisions, such as bus routes, footpaths and junction design, affect more people every day.
How we work
- Project appraisal. We review the economic, social and environmental case for major transport investments, using published data.
- Public transport. We study the finances and services of public bus operators and metro systems.
- Road safety. We analyse crash data and the effectiveness of enforcement, engineering and education.
- Active travel. We document how streets work for pedestrians, cyclists, children and older people.
The vertical works with the Urbanisation and Environment verticals and with transport user groups.
Questions we are asking
- 01
Why has public bus use declined, and what would bring passengers back?
- 02
Which large transport projects are worth their cost, and how should that be judged?
- 03
What would it take to halve road deaths in Kerala?
- 04
How should streets be redesigned for the people who walk on them?
Publications
Policy Brief
PlaceholderFive Steps Towards Halving Road Deaths
Road crashes kill and injure thousands of people in Kerala every year, most of them pedestrians, cyclists and riders of two wheelers. Proven measures exist. This brief sets out five.
Research Fellow Two
Programs and impact
Advocacy
Safe Streets for Children
Advocacy for safe speed limits, crossings and footpaths around every school, beginning with pilot zones in Thiruvananthapuram.
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