Breathing in Bengaluru: Building a greener city with eMaaS

Bengaluru is witnessing alarmingly high pollution levels, with particulate matter (PM) levels reaching at least 5 times over the permissible limits by the World Health Organisation (WHO). Particularly, vehicular traffic, which contributes to more than 65% of PM emissions, is a major concern requiring immediate attention.

The previous articles in our series ‘Breathing in Bengaluru’ delved into the health problems due to vehicular emissions and the scope for tackling the issue through sustainable mobility measures. In this regard, Electric Mobility as a Service (eMaaS) is a relatively low-cost (compared with new transport infrastructure) and feasible solution. This final article in the series delineates the potential of this state-of-the-art mobility system in reducing vehicular emissions and discusses the challenges for its implementation in Bengaluru.

Source: Image by vectorjuice on Freepik

Source: Image by macrovector on Freepik

Few services required for eMaaS implementation in the city are already in place, namely, bus and metro services and last-mile connectivity (auto-rickshaws and ride-hailing services). The integration of all available mobility services to be offered to end users on a single platform is a key component of eMaaS. Government (e-bus and metro-rail) and private players (e-auto rickshaw and ride hailing) need to come together to promote the ease of an average commuter; this integration and coordination among players is a major challenge. In this context, the common mobility card launched in March 2023 is a relevant example. The card has not yet been integrated into the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC)-run bus ticketing system and can only be used on Namma Metro operated by the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL), although both BMTC and BMRCL are government entities.

In terms of digital platforms, citizens can currently avail auto-rickshaw and cab services through privately run online services, bus service info on the Namma BMTC App, metro station-based last-mile connectivity info on the Metro Mitra App, and refer to Google Maps for Metro timings. To restructure this disorganised system that discourages public transport use, eMaaS can be implemented by integrating all services including transit, booking, and payment information for the convenience of commuters.

In addition to easier commute experience, eMaaS can offer new business opportunities for service providers, auto and electric vehicle original equipment makers (OEMs), and charge point operators. eMaaS has the potential to not only increase the earnings of auto-rickshaw drivers by tapping into the unmet and new demand but also ensure steady earnings.

Push and pull for eMaaS

For eMaaS to be successfully implemented, a policy framework should be developed after due consultations with all stakeholders. Further, eMaaS implementation (pull) needs to be integrated with the Personal2Public campaign and supported by measures (push) like congestion pricing, car-free zones, low-emission zones, and parking regulations to alleviate traffic congestion in the city.

Considering the grave impacts of vehicular emissions on citizen health, implementation of sustainable mobility measures like active transport, eMaaS, and integrated planning can pave the way forward to realise the dream of a green, congestion-free, and breathable Bengaluru for the current and future generations.

The author works in the area of Green Mobility at the Center for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), a research-based think tank.