Is buying car a waste? Yes.....says Mr. R.C.Bhargava, the Chairman of Maruti Suzuki!
'People should start thinking why they need to buy a car. One buys a car costing Rs.10 lakh. And 80-90% of the time it is lying idle. What a waste of capital' he asks.
Moreover where do they drive their cars? Traffic in Indian cities like Bengaluru has become a horrendous experience. Hardly one can cover about 8 kms. in an hour during peak time! No wonder an average man spends more than 3 hours every day for commuting. Less said the better about the public transport system.
With ever-depleting road space, often it is irritating to see most of the big cars being driven by single occupants. Traffic experts say that this is the root cause for all problems. Is there a way out?
Mr. Bhargava has urged Government to offer incentives to promote shared mobility over individual mobility saying that everyone including automakers would benefit from such an approach!
Shared mobility improves utilization of vehicles as well as reducing congestion, parking problems and cost of transportation. He has further added that carpooling leads to better use of cars reducing the replacement cycle, thereby ensuring sustained demand for new cars! Is this not what we term as 'lateral thinking'?
Delhi's odd-even experiment is worth reviving and replicating in other cities too. With the support of carpooling methods 'odd-even' will become more smoother and acceptable. Incentives like reduction in taxes, Insurance charges, petrol cost for those who are compliant are welcome.
Thanks to many of our enthusiastic young techies who have developed carpooling apps. Many corporates too are lending them the needed support. Such apps mobilize verified users who commute between same routes at same time promoting easy
sharing. This has further reduced travelling cost to Rs.3 per km which is even cheaper than public transport, yet offering the convenience of a car. Many apps are integrated with Google Maps and even with Paytm to ensure convenient payments.
Now-a-days apps like 'Bounce' are making rounds which enable one to rent a Scooter/Bike. One can find a large pool of two-wheelers parked near most metro stations available on rent as cheap as Rs.3 per km. This ensures last minute connectivity to metro travelers. One can rent a two wheeler, reach home, keep it overnight and bring it back while riding to metro-station next day and still pay only on the basis of kms used. One can even leave it at a main road parking lot and go away!
TrinTrin is the public cycle sharing system of Mysuru, the world famous heritage city. It is aimed at youngsters, to avoid usage of fuel driven vehicles. This eco-friendly transport is the hope for our smaller cities.
Metro connectivity is slowly making inroads into many big Indian cities. But the coverage seems to be too little and too late. In most of the cities second and third phases are being planned and the progress of work is at a snail's pace. However people are mesmerized by the ease and speed of travel. But the system needs supporting net-work for ensuring last mile connectivity.
Local Bus transport systems are often much criticized. BMTC, the local bus transport system of Bengaluru is doing a great service by carrying more than 50 lakh commuters everyday. BMTC is developed over several decades and it has not costed much to the Government. Compare this to Bengaluru Metro which has costed more than Rs.15,000 crores and carries only about 4 lakh passengers per day!
Cities like Bengaluru badly need a robust Suburban Railway system. They provide the link to smaller towns around to the heart of the city. Compared to Metro, the investment required is less and the carrying capacity is huge. Again Suburban Train systems are being delayed for various reasons like the tug-of-war between Centre and the States!
Almost all Indian big cities are witnessing fast growth. Efficient public transport is the only solution. Steps like car and bike pooling can provide the support by ensuring last mile connectivity. Ending the Government monopoly over public transport system may also hold the key for a better solution. But the biggest twin obstacles are the lack of determined will with our rulers and the rigid mind-set of our people. Let us resolve to change for the better.
Thanks for reading. Please send your valuable feedback.
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Special Thanks:
To the sources of all pictures
used here.
Well thought writeup thanks KLN owner ship of a car is more prestigious that utility. We stand by that principle. Car pooling is gaining momentum and will become the best option. Public transport is to ensure smooth commuting. Metro is implemented in distorted way. Govts should improve infrastructure in publi transport for all avail without any hitch
ReplyDeleteThanks for providing the most balanced feedback. Please send me your most used whatsapp no. and e mail id for my future use.
DeleteStop all the two wheelers and four wheelers manufacturing and start public transport system every where and every minute with new separate transport cess give subsidy to cycle rickshaw and others then automatically problem will solve with health wealth and global warming
ReplyDeleteThanks for giving your views. But two wheeler and four wheeler manufacturing need not be stopped. Pooling them is the right solution. Yes public transport is to be made more robust and useful.
DeleteRamesh Hassan
ReplyDeleteI fully agree with your views. However the point to be noted is in India most people buy cars as a status symbol rather than for utility.
ReplyDeleteThank you Murari Sir for your observation. You are a widely traveled man and you have a broader vision. Yes owning a car has become a prestige symbol.
DeleteGood writeup. I also tend to agree with Mr.Bhargava, that in big cities like Bangalore buying a car is a waste of money, specially for the middle/higher middle class whose resources are also limited and comes at quite a cost. Cost of fuel(madevworse by the traffic congestion),of interest,of salary to the driver and not to speak of the regular maintenance cost. More often than not many prefer to use their cars only at week ends, mainly toget away from the city. One more thought that passed my mind, is the oflate cops catching the persons carrying other passengers, though mainly between cities on same direction at present, for cost. These acts are a deterrent for car pooling. Though metro's train is attractive by its speed, suburban trains are must in cities like Bengaluru.
ReplyDeleteThanks for responding. You have covered almost all areas. Government must take all steps and security measures to promote carpooling. Bengaluru needs suburban trains too.
DeleteThis blog is relevant only to Urban areas. What about country side?
ReplyDeleteYou have raised a valid point. Thank you.
DeleteBut link roads to villages are narrow. Also many villages are congested with tractors, bullock-carts and even with good number of cars.
Please send your most used e mail id for future use. Let's keep in touch.
ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಾಯಣ್ ನಮಸ್ಕಾರ.
ReplyDeleteಈ ಸಲದ ನಿಮ್ಮ ಬ್ಲಾಗ್ ವಿಷಯ, ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಯೊಂದನ್ನು ಆಳವಾಗಿ ಚಿಂತಿಸಿ, ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗೆ ಕನ್ನಡಿ ಹಿಡಿದಿರುವ ಬರಹವಾಗಿದೆ.
ಈ ಬಗ್ಗೆ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಮಾಹಿತಿ, ಚಿಂತನೆಗಳನ್ನು ಅನೇಕರು ಹಂಚಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ. ಕೆಲವರು ಪರಿಹಾರವನ್ನೂ ಸಹ ಸೂಚಿಸಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿ ಹೇಳುವುದಾದರೆ ಒಂದು ಕುಟುಂಬದಲ್ಲಿ ಅಗತ್ಯಕ್ಕಿಂತ ಹೆಚ್ಚಾಗಿಯೂ, ಅನವಶ್ಯಕವಾಗಿಯೂ ಕಾರು ಮತ್ತು ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರವಾಹನಗಳನ್ನು ಇಟ್ಟುಕೊಂಡು ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಗೆ ತಮ್ಮ ಕೊಡುಗೆಯನ್ನು ನೀಡಿದ್ದಾರೆ.
ಜನಗಳಿಗೆ ವಾಹನಗಳನ್ನು ಕೊಳ್ಳಲು ಬ್ಯಾಂಕುಗಳು ಸುಲಭವಾಗಿ ಸಾಲಗಳನ್ನು ನೀಡುತ್ತಿರುವುದೂ ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಯ ಉಲ್ಬಣಕ್ಕೆ ಕಾರಣವೆಂದು ಹೇಳಬಹುದು.
ಹಲವರು ಮತ್ತು ನಿಮ್ಮ ಬ್ಲಾಗ್ ಪ್ರತಿಪಾದಿಸಿರುವ ' ಕಾರನ್ನು ಹೊಂದಿರುವುದು ಪ್ರತಿಷ್ಟೆಯ ವಿಷಯವಾಗಿ ಪರಿಣಮಿಸಿದೆ.
ಪಟ್ಟಣಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಮತ್ತು ಹಳ್ಳಿಗಳಲ್ಲಿಯೂ ಸಹ ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರವಾಹನ ಒಂದು ಅವಶ್ಯಕತೆಯಾಗಿದೆ.ಆದರೆ ಎಲ್ಲರಿಗೂ ಕಾರು ಬೇಕೆಂದೇನೂ ಇಲ್ಲ.
ಇದುವರೆಗೂ ನಾನು ಕಾರು ಕೊಂಡಿಲ್ಲ. ಒಂದು ದ್ವಿಚಕ್ರ ವಾಹನವಿದೆ. ಅದು ಸಾಕು.
ಬೆಂಗಳೂರು ಮತ್ತು ಇತರೆ ಕಡೆಗಳಿಗೆ ಕುಟುಂಬದ ಸದಸ್ಯರೊಂದಿಗೆ ಹೋಗಬೇಕಾಗುವ ಸಂದರ್ಭದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಾಡಿಗೆ ಕಾರು ಮಾಡಿಕೊಂಡು ಯಾವ ಜಂಜಾಟವಿಲ್ಹದೆ ಹೋಗಿ ಬರುತ್ತೇವೆ. ಅಷ್ಟರ ಮಟ್ಟಿಗೆ ನೆಮ್ಮದಿ.
ಈ ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ರಸ್ತೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಓಡಿಯಾಡುವುದೂ ದುಸ್ತರವಾಗಿದೆ.ಕಾರಣ ಮಿತಿಮೀರಿದ ವಾಹನಗಳ ಆರ್ಭಟ.
ಈ ಬ್ಲಾಗ್ ಬರೆದು ವಾಹನ/ ಕಾರು ಸಮಸ್ಯೆಯನ್ನು ಬರಹ ಮೂಲಕ ಪ್ರಸ್ತುತ ಪಡಿಸಿ, ಅನೇಕರ ಕಣ್ಣು ತೆರಸಿದ್ದೀರಿ.
ವಂದನೆಗಳು.
ಬೇಲೂರು ದ ಶಂ ಪ್ರಕಾಶ್,
ಮೈಸೂರು.
ತಮ್ಮ ಅಭಿಪ್ರಾಯವನ್ನು ಪರಿಣಾಮಕಾರಿಯಾಗಿ ತಿಳಿಸಿದ್ದೀರಿ. ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳು.
ReplyDeleteಇರುವೊಂದು ಹಳೇ ಸಣ್ಣ ಕಾರನ್ನು ನಾನು ಬಳಸುವುದೇ ವಿರಾಳವಾಗಿದೆ. ಒಬ್ಬನೇ ಹೋಗಬೇಕಾದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಿಟಿ ಬಸ್ಸೇ ಅನುಕೂಲ. ಇನ್ಸ್ಟಿಟ್ಯೂಟ್ಗೆ ಹೋಗಲು ಕಂಪನಿ ವ್ಯಾನ್ ಇದೆ.
ನಮ್ಮ ಯುವಕರ ಸಮಯ ಸಿಟಿ ಪ್ರಯಾಣದಲ್ಲೇ ಹೆಚ್ಚು
ವ್ಯಯವಾಗುತ್ತಿರುವುದು ದುರದೃಷ್ಟಕರ.
ಲಕ್ಷ್ಮೀನಾರಾಯಣ
Very valuable analysis. Hope people realise the need at the earliest. Off late it has become a status symbol for the higher middle class and affluent society to buy cars just for display. The first thing the government should think is rationing of car to each family. One roof - one car to be adopted.
ReplyDeletewell said.
Deleterationing of one car per family is a very good siggestion.
LAKSHMINARAYANA K
Hi Sir,
ReplyDeleteNowadays,as told some here else,owning cars has become status symbol,as I observe in our city neighbourhood
that number of vehicles exceed the family members in a house(size of the family getting diminished).City people,youth in majority,in metros especially in Bangalore never use public transport because of in adequate
availability in peak hours.Demographic distribution,availability of public/private sector services in different sectors like heath,education etc of choice throw mismatch.Adding to this people have attitude issues and never retrospect their own past.
Let us at least practice simplicity as a family...instead of comparing others and indulge in cat race of consumerism...
Thanks for responding.
DeleteMindset of people shd change. No. of cars exceeding family members is no exaggeration.
LAKSHMINARAYANA K
1. It's true that car is a status symbol so much so that there is no space to park the car at home but the car is purchased and is parked on road.
ReplyDelete2. It is also observed that one family has two/ three cars just because they go in different directions.
3.One biggest problem is everybody wants big car or mid size may be because of amenities. Instead small cars should have those facilities.
4, Normally location of offices and markets also create problems. They should not be at one place. If town planning is better and markets and offices are dispersed. Problem of congestion can be reduced.
5. If public transport is good people do not hesitate to use it. Proper system and routes be developed.
6. Parking spaces should be developed and should be exorbitantly costly so that public would prefer to share or avoid taking their own vehicle.
6. Big personal vehicles should be taxed heavily.
7. Town planning department to plan for atleast a decade ahead. Public be made to participate in planning. At least new developing areas be planned properly.
8. Metros should connect crowded places and should have adequate capacity. Locals can be used to difuse congestion.
9. Unless parking place is available, car should not be allowed to be purchased.
10. Each big house may be motivated to have shared cabs and discourage petrol reimbursement. Individual cars may not be allocated. Car sharing allowance may be thought of on actual basis instead of petrol.
Thanks for giving your 10 COMMANDMENTS Guruji!
ReplyDeleteYour detailed points shd serve as eye opener for all.
LAKSHMINARAYANA K
1)Odd even rule should be implemented in every metro city facing the problem of traffic.
ReplyDelete2)Fare of public transportation(metro train,city buses) should be reduced .
3)More number of buses and metro coaches are required to haldle the crowd.
4)City buses should be made more traveller friendly ,as most of the people don't find the comfort in public transport.
Thank you young man for showing such keen interest.
DeleteYes...public transport shd be strengthened. But the monopoly of Govt over transport may not help.
Keep up the spirit.
LAKSHMINARAYANA K
Dear Lakshminarayan, you have choosen a good and important and topic. Buying a car, if not properly utilised/ if not able to properly utilised it is really waste. One should analyse the utility of own vehicle. If there is proper public transport system people may tend not to own vehicle. As far as Bangalore is concerned public transport system is very bad. Talking about bmtc is of no use. Their main concern is earning profit not social services. The fare in bmtc too high when compared to neighboring states. Just look at the rates at Kerala and tamilnad. Very minimal and affordable rates for all. Bmtc chosen to operate volvo buses to many of the roots where commuter trafic is more there by made the public to pay more. For example new airport rout. Why bmtc wants to ply only volvo buses. Why can't other sarige buses so that commuters can travel to airport with minimam charges. Thousands of people working in airport but for commuting they have shell half of their earnings. Suburban train is the best option. But for bangalore it is still a dream. Wherever suburban trains are available people going for own vehicle is less. If public transport is proper people may not tend for own vehicle. Moreover if own vehicle kept idle one has to shell a minimum of rs.100 per day for insurance and parking.
ReplyDeleteThank you Mr.Dinakar for taking time to post a detailed reply.
DeleteI agree, public transport must improve to prevent people from buying own vehicles.
Yes....BMTC is costly, but service is okay and dependable.i use it often.
As rightly pointed by you, car owners have to shell put for insurance and parking. What about loan repayment, depreciation and servicing cost?
LAKSHMINARAYANA K
Well written.My suggestion is that it is necessary that Citizens' forum in respective centres organise pooled commutation in consultation.This will help citizens to reorient their preference for going for this.Better you write an article in this regard.
ReplyDeleteThnx for reading and responding.
DeleteYour suggestion is apt. I will take up this topic in our Residents meeting soon.
LAKSHMINARAYANA K
Very good thought keep rounding since so many times. But the problem is strict implementation and also people isharami living style. Previously people use to buy vehicles for requirements ,but nowadays it has become a show of.
ReplyDeleteWell said sir. People buy cars to make show-off and most of the time it is idle. Driving a car in a place like Bengaluru is also a challenge and puts us on pressure.
DeleteOf late seniors like us are thinking of spending money in travelling abroad and visiting places which is a better proposition.