Weak public transport system reason for rise in two-wheelers, say experts

Two decades ago, the number of two-wheelers registered in the city’s regional transport offices (RTO) was less than cars. Now, this equation has changed drastically.

Two decades ago, the number of two-wheelers registered in the city’s regional transport offices (RTO) was less than cars. Now, this equation has changed drastically.

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Additional transport commissioner Shirish Thakur said this rise suggests that our transport system has failed to cater to people’s requirements, Thakur added.

Transport expert Ashok Datar also blamed the weak public transport system for this trend. “There is no space for commuters in the local trains and no space for BEST buses to ply because of congestion. This situation is forcing people to buy two-wheelers,” said Datar.

Though vehicle population has gone up rapidly, there is no significant increase in road length in the city, experts said. At present, the city’s total road length is less then 2,000km.

The number of two wheelers has been going up steadily. In 1990, there were 2.40 lakh registered cars and 2.31 lakh two-wheelers. Ten years later, the number rose to 4.07 lakh — 60,000 more than the number of cars on the road. Till March 2010, there were nearly 10 lakh registered two-wheelers as compared to 5.62 lakh cars.

According to experts, better earning capacity of the middle class in the last two decades has also led to this rise. Two wheelers, are cheaper, economical and a fast medium of transport, experts added.

Datar also warned that two wheelers are dangerous because they are more prone to accidents.