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‘Funding, political will key to better transport network’

When it took nearly an hour for him to commute from Taj Land’s End in Bandra to a meeting organised by Bombay First at Nariman Point on a lovely Wednesday morning.

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When it took nearly an hour for him to commute from Taj Land’s End in Bandra to a meeting organised by Bombay First at Nariman Point on a lovely Wednesday morning, London’s transport commissioner Peter Hendy could only shake his head at the chaos reigning the city roads, and say, “Amazing.’’

“While London has made considerable progress over recent years in improving transport network, Mumbai faces many challenges in providing high quality transport for the fast growing city,’’ said Hendy, who is in town with Ken Livingstone, Mayor of London.

Hendy should know. London once had the highest number of private cars on its roads.

It took 22 years before the UK government empowered the elected Mayor to set up a Unified Transport Authority (UTA), comprising individuals from different sections of the society, to improve the traffic situation in the financial capital.

“Political leadership is important as it promises better funding to improve the transport network,’’ said Hendy, while suggesting that the new UTA proposed by the Indian government should look into the aspect of funding.

Armed with an investment programme, the company forged long-term contracts with private companies to run the London Underground. There are six main private operators contracted to run the bus services.

“We just pay the operators on the mileage the vehicles run. Considering the idea is to reduce private vehicles on the road, the fares are subsidised by the elected Mayor,’’ said Hendy, hoping the authority gets control of bus road and parking networks, which now are governed by the local municipal authority.

In 2003, the Mayor introduced congestion tax as a step to reduce the number of private vehicles in a certain area. The venture saw a 20 per cent drop in the number of cars on the roads and a 30 per cent fall in congestion.

“As time means money, the business community supported the scheme as it meant easier commute.

We also had people’s support as the tax money was reinvested in improving the capital’s transport system like starting environment-friendly buses,’’ Hendy said proudly of the £150 million collected as tax.

Hendy said police should not have the power to issue licences to taxis, as their chief job is to tackle crime.
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