‘Innovation challenge’ seeks reformation of bus services

NEWDELHI: Nearly 2.8 million Delhiites, who are forced to commute daily in buses despite the poor quality of services, might get to see some improvement in the quality, safety and efficiency of bus services from 2019.

The World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organisation, and Fedex Corporation, an American multinational courier delivery service, have invited proposals for an initiative called ‘Better Bus 2018 – An Innovation Challenge’. The programme is inviting startups and entrepreneurs in the country to come up with innovations by leveraging emerging technologies for upgrading bus services in Indian cities, including Delhi.

The open innovation challenge will bring together ideas from manufacturers, technology and service providers, mobility entrepreneurs, NGOS, corporations, and transit agencies to co-create solutions in the public bus sector.

“These innovations could be anything from an app-based cashless ticketing system, maintaining digital data for better maintenance of buses and providing cleaner technology. By July 2019, we hope to zero-in on three top innovations,” said Madhav Pai, director (India) of WRI Ross Centre for Sustainable Cities.

Each project that gets selected would get a funding of ₹32,00,000 ($50,000). These projects would run on a pilot basis in an Indian city.

“It is all about getting from Point A to Point B in buses with the best experience. Public transport will play a big role in connecting people and we seek to improve mobility options for people. Having a safe and efficient bus transport system could make life easier,” said Abbey Bailey, communications manager at Fedex.

Bailey said that Fedex would not just fund the projects but even provide the expertise wherever necessary. Experts would be guiding the entrepreneurs through the process. WRI would help these entrepreneurs secure partnerships with transit companies.

In India, around 18% of the workforce avail buses to reach their workplace, which needs to be i ncreased significantly, according to experts. Technology-driven innovations in bus systems would lead to better user experience and can even bring down maintenance cost by around 40%-50% if digitised data is maintained.

A few projects that were earlier finalised are undergoing trial runs in Bengaluru to increase the efficiency of the city’s last-mile connectivity system. These include scooter sharing, app for parking and car pooling. Some startups have also tied up with the Bengaluru Metro Rail Corporation.

“There has been a big uptake of technology in the mobility sector including dockless bikes, cab hiring apps and shuttle systems. Mobility startups have increased in the last five years. But the city bus system is yet to take advantage of these emerging technologies,” said Pai.