This document summarizes a study on paratransit systems in Chennai, India. It defines paratransit as flexible passenger transportation that does not follow fixed routes or schedules. In Chennai, paratransit serves areas with limited public transit access and provides first/last mile connectivity. Major paratransit modes include shared autos and taxis that collectively serve over 18 million passengers daily, more than Chennai's mass transit rail system. However, most paratransit vehicles operate without permission. The study suggests recognizing paratransit officially and integrating it with other transit to improve Chennai's transportation system.

1. STUDY ON
PARATRANSIT
IN CHENNAI
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What Is Paratransit?
“ Paratransit vehicles are a for-hire flexible passenger transportation
that does not necessarily follow fixed routes and schedules. They
provide two types of services: one involving trips along a more or
less defined route with stops to pick up or discharge passengers on
request. The other is a demand-responsive transport which can
offer a door-to-door service from any origin to any destination in a
service area”

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The need for Paratransit in Chennai
 Connecting areas in Chennai with limited or no public transport –
3427 MTC buses and three lines of commuter rail service
 High cost of introduction and maintenance of mass public
transportation
 Private vehicles put huge pressure on transportation infrastructure
which constitutes 76 percent of the whole vehicle population

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…Cont.
 Creates employment opportunities
 They provide first mile-last mile connectivity
 Can be used as feeder system for the MRTS, Metro Rail and the
proposed BRTS

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Issues
 Para Transit/ Share auto are not recognised as a Public Transport
 Majority of the share autos ply without permission but cater to a
large section of the population
 Share auto work in an unorganised environment
 Bribes and fines affect the share auto sector
 Fares are not determined according to market conditions

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Modes of Paratransit in Chennai
 Shared Autos - means a motor vehicle constructed, adapted or used
to carry five passengers excluding the driver for hire or reward and
having less than four wheels.; Section 3(da); Tamil Nadu Motor
Vehicle Rules, 1988
 Number of share autos- 200 vikram autos given city permits
 In 1998 first G.O to introduce 100 Share Autos in Chennai on
experimental basis
 Ape diesel autos which has been converted and plied as Share auto
account for around 7000 in the city

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…Cont.
 Tata Magic which are Maxi Cabs and plied as Share auto – 4000
(approx.), allowed to ply as Contract Carriage as per G.O dated
31.08.2009
 Arjun 500- 200 (Approx.)
 Mahindra Maximo -300 (Approx.)
Type of Share Auto Authorised Capacity
Vikram 5+1
Ape Piaggio 3+1
Tata Ace Magic 7+1
Mahindra Maxximo 7+1
Arjun 5+1

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Fare Comparison
AUTO SHARE AUTO
Rs 14 for the first two
kilometers
Rs 10 for two kilometers
Rs 6 for every kilometer
thereafter
Rs 5 for every kilometer

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Revenue to the government
Tax Permit Revenue
Share autos Rs 4000 for 5
years
625 8,00,000 per 5
years
Tata Magic 1925 (for three
months)
1150 Rs 1,73,250,000
Ape 1400 (for 5
years)
325 9,10,0000 per 5
years

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Learning's from Global Experiences

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Passengers served through Share autos
Total Passengers served- 14*11*12000= 18,48,000 passengers per
day
14 passengers served per round trip
The average number of round trips made by the Share Autos per
day is 11 and the average kilometer run is 135.
25 share autos available for 10,000 Chennaites

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Passengers- A comparison
Suburban Trains MRTS Share Autos
Passengers per
Day
9.6 lakh 70,000 18.48 Lakhs
(Avg)

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Working days
Share auto drivers work for
around 98 hours in a week
which is more than the
prescribed legal Working
hours as per International
Labour Organisation
standards ( ILO ) .

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Type of Auto Vs. Ownership
96% 94% 96% 95% 100% 100%
4% 6% 4% 5%
Total Share Auto Tata Magic Ape Diesel Mahindra
Maxximo
Arjun
Own Rented
Majority of the share autos were
rented

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Segment of people using Share auto
35%
56%
1% 1%
6%
0%
56 percent of the employed and 35 percent of students use share
autos for their daily use
21%
68%
2%
8%
68 percent used Share Auto as it was near to their
destination; while 21 percent found it as a quick mode of
transport
Most preferred and
convenient mode for short
distance travel

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Usage patters in Share autos
65%
10%
22%
4%
Daily 5-6 times per week 2-3 times per week Once a week
Majority of the passengers used share auto for daily purpose
87%
35%
13%
65%
Reach final destination Reach a particular point and then use public transport
87 percent of the Share auto passengers use them to reach the final
destination while 35 percent use it as feeder service to other modes

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Suggestions for improvement of
service
49%
16% 15%
6%
4% 3%
6%
Lower
cost
Modern
Seats &
Music
Facility
Avoid Cell
Phones
Avoid
Overload
Obey
Traffic
rules
Avoid
Drunk &
Drive
Others

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Average income earned per day
Average Revenue
(Mean of Lower
Value and Upper
Value)
Average Fuel
Expenditure
Average Rent Average Income
Rs1,540 Rs 297 Rs540 Rs703
Generates Revenue
of around Rs. 2
crores per Day

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Comparative table between MTC
Buses and Share Auto
CATEGORY MTC SHARE AUTO
FLEET 3,421 12,000
NUMBER OF KILOMETERS
RUN PER DAY
10,81,036 16,20,000
THE AVERAGE PRICE OF THE
TOTAL FLEET
40
lakhs*3421=1368.4crores
3lakhs*12000=360crores
FUEL EFFICENCY 4.39 23(Avg)
NUMBER OF TRIPS MADE
PER DAY
Around 44,000 Around 2,64,000
NUMBER OF PASSENGERS
CATERED PER DAY
57.90 Lakhs [Avg.] 18.48 Lakhs (Avg)
COLLECTION PER DAY
2.31 crores [Avg.]
Rs.1.39 crores to Rs.2.09
crores per day.

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Major Findings
Collection of Share Auto
Sector per days is Rs
1.39 Crores to Rs2.09
Crores per day
The daily collection of
Share auto is 66 times
more than MRTS
The Total fine and bribe
amount collected from
Share autos is Rs 60,72,00
The total amount to 67
percent of MRTS
Collection per month

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Major Suggestions
 Formulation of a Coordinating Agency for Transportation
 Recognise Para Transit as a public transport mode- Suitable changes
in NUTP

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…Cont.
 Integration- Metro Rail, MTC and MRTS systems
- Official Recognition- Change in status
of Maxi Cabs and share autos
- Standardise permits and taxes
 Create Infrastructural facilities- Share auto
Stands, dropping points and parking

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A Model Integrated system

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…Cont.
- Zone wise allocation of share auto operations for companies
- Integration with mass rapid transits and revenue sharing

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