![]() Sreedharan argues that making public transport free for women will encourage other groups like persons with disabilities, senior citizens, students etc to demand the same. The government can make ‘transport’ a ring-fenced entity where funds from one source can be used to enhance public resources.Īlso read: Is the Delhi Metro Really Public Transport? But why is the road space – which is built entirely using public funds – not viewed with the same lens when it is being used by private transport virtually free of cost?ĭirect taxpayers (since everybody, even those buying a packet of biscuits are indirect taxpayers) complain of ‘their money’ being ‘misused’ in ‘freebies,’ but don’t question when their funds, used to build public roads, disproportionately favour private vehicle users.įor a sound public transport policy, it is imperative that less efficient modes of transport (a big car carrying only 1-2 passengers) that use more road space (commuting as well as free parking) be charged heavily to cross-subsidise public means of transport. ![]() Making a public transit system like the Delhi Metro free is seen as being ‘uneconomical’ and an ‘unnecessary burden’ on taxpayers. ![]() While it may seem to be a sound ‘technical’ argument, is it really so – if we consider the economy of the transport scenario as a whole? This is assuming metro to be a ring-fenced entity, one that is solely responsible for its budget and accounts. ![]() His concern was about the economic feasibility of the policy for the Delhi Metro. ![]() Sreedharan, popularly known as the ‘Metro Man,’ recently voiced his displeasure over the Aam Aadmi Party’s decision to make public transport – metro and buses – free for women. ![]()
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