If the AAP government’s proposal to make public transport free for women in Delhi comes into effect, a significant number of women who commute to work by bus instead of the more expensive Metro train may start using the Metro, data indicate.
Use of Public Transport
The table shows how people in Delhi commuted to work in 2011. Close to one-third of women used the bus while only 5% used the train. Expansion of the Metro network and an increase in the number of coaches would have hiked Metro ridership in recent years eating into bus’ share. A significant % of women preferred car, jeep or van for their commute to work.
How people go to work in Delhi
Bus v.s. Train
The Metro is quicker but costlier than the bus. However, if both the fares drop to zero, bus riders may prefer the Metro as it is faster and more comfortable. The chart compares travel time and fares between the two modes along the Blue Line and Yellow Line, two of the longest and busiest lines of the Delhi Metro.
On the Blue Line, the Metro costs Rs 40 and takes around 24 minutes from Rajiv Chowk to Noida Sector 16. On the same route the bus is cheaper at Rs 15 but its commute time is almost an hour. Similarly, towards the other end from Rajiv Chowk to Rajouri Garden, the Metro ride costs Rs 30 and travel time is approximately 20 minutes while a bus ride costs Rs 15 but its travel time is more than twice that of the Metro.
A comparison between the Metro and bus
The money speaks
Metro ridership dipped in 2018 following sharp fare hikes in May 2017 and October 2017. This shows that money spent on travel plays a big role in deciding the mode of commute.
Dip in ridership
Level of burden
The table shows the number of women who travel to work by bus/car/jeep/van/tempo/autos from different regions of Delhi. If train rides become free, the Metro lines that criss-cross the south and north-western part of the city may register the biggest increase in ridership. A part of the already busy Yellow Line passes through South Delhi and that line may record an increase in ridership which might burden the existing load.
Female work force in Delhi by region
How does commute to work in Delhi compare to other major cities in India
More women use public transport to travel for work than men in big cities. Women become more dependent on buses and the Metro as the distance to work increases.
More women travel smaller distances compared to men
In Delhi, while more percentage of men travel over 5 km for work than women, more women travel 0-5 km for work than men. This trend is fairly common in all big cities. The table shows the proportion of men and women who travel 0-5 km for work.
Distance to work
Use of public transport
37% of women who travel to work use public transport in Delhi. That figure is significantly higher than the percentage of men who do so. This trend is true for most big cities. The table shows the % of working men and women who use public transport to work.
Public transport to work
The distance factor
The preference for public transport increases as the distance to work increases. The table shows the proportion of women who take public transport across distances. Women who travel 11-20 km rely more on public transport than those who travel smaller distances.
Preference for public transport and distance
