Background

The mass rapid transport system in India is virtually non-existent, except in the cities of Mumbai, Kolkata and Delhi. As a result, the pressure on the use of personal vehicles is constantly increasing. To quote The Bulletin of Energy Efficiency, Vol 2, Issue 6, June 2002:

“The share of private vehicles (2 wheelers and cars) in the total number of registered vehicles increased from 65 percent in 1971 to 82 percent in 1997. Energy consumed per passenger (kilometer by a car) can be as high as 6 times that of a bus. Poor road quality and poor maintenance of roads in urban areas hinder the smooth movement of traffic, leading to congestion, which also increases energy consumption.”

However, providing mass transport systems is not very cost-effective for the nation. Instead, we should attempt to utilize the personal vehicles to increase the low occupancy rate and reduce energy intensity in these vehicles. This may sound difficult or impossible but with the right kind of a system in place this can be realized.

What is a Prepaid Lift Service?

Almost all of us have tried “car pooling” with colleagues/friends. However, because of its own limitations, carpooling has not succeeded as a concept.

We often travel alone, which is not only expensive but also unsafe. Many a times, we travel to far away places on our own. We would have preferred to take somebody with us if the person was known and agreed to share the petrol expenses. Almost at the same time another person is traveling alone in the same direction. But both are unaware about each other's program, since there is no service that could make it possible to know each other's plans. Similarly, within the city we are all traveling everyday in the same direction without a chance of sharing our vehicles.

This lack of information forces us to use our own vehicle, which not only increases personal expenses on petrol but also vehicular traffic on the road leading to pollution and traffic jams and increase in travel time.

If we could think of an easy and convenient way to unite such people it would not only reduce our petrol bills but also help in reducing congestion and pollution besides reducing chances of accidents. The most interesting aspect is that people initially unknown to each other will have a chance to meet for personal and business alliances! It is needless to mention here that only those commuters who have a vehicle and a mobile will be allowed to join.

How It Can Be Done

Thanks to the IT revolution and mobile telephone services, it is now possible to start a “Prepaid lift service”

It will operate like this:

Initial awareness will be created about the service and tariff for prepaid lift services will be fixed.

Those who are interested to avail the service to give and take lift will be asked to submit their normal travel routes and travel destinations. The members shall give an undertaking that at least for 3 days in a week they will avail the service (either give or take lift).

Pick-up points (like bus stops) will be identified.

With the help of a mobile service provider, information will be exchanged about who is looking for lift in a particular direction and who is interested in giving lift.

Both the persons will send the message to the mobile service provider as soon as both the parties have met. This is also necessary from the safety point of view.

The mobile company will credit/debit the amount in the respective persons’ account and charge a certain percentage to both.

The mobile service provider will maintain the record and adjust the amount in the mobile bill.

Benefits

Benefit to members

Reduced fuel bill.

Reduced maintenance cost of vehicle.

Reduced stress.

Ready help in case of breakdown/flat tire.

Chance for fixing personal and business alliances!

Benefit to mobile service provider

Increased direct revenue

Indirect revenue from the operation of Prepaid lift service

More publicity

Benefit to the country

Reduction in fuel import bill

Increased employment potential

Reduced road congestion and pollution

Other benefits

Likely benefits to the Insurance Companies

Likely social benefits in the era when people are becoming more and more individualistic and self-centered.

Prepaid lift service

Abstract