Kerala   

More people shift to two-wheelers

Thiruvananthapuram: With the KSRTC and private buses catering to only 30-40 per cent of the households, two-wheelers are emerging the favourite mode of public transport.

Scattered population, geographical conditions and narrow roads are the others reasons cited by transport planners for the demand for two-wheelers.

With 1,200 two-wheelers getting registered in the State on an average everyday, transport planners say the number of two-wheelers, which was half a million in 1995, may touch four million by 2010. Two-wheelers are emerging as the future mode of public transport in Kerala.

Compared to 70,000 car registrations in 2005-2006, the number of two-wheelers registered was 2.80 lakh. The number of two-wheelers registered between April 1, 2006, and March 31, 2007, was 3,17,552 and cars 68,822. Of the two-wheelers, 15,255 were scooters, 14,990 mopeds and 2,87,307 motorcycles.

The mobility offered by two-wheelers, high fuel efficiency and almost similar per km cost compared to the bus fare make them popular. Moreover, two-wheelers have emerged a popular mode of transport for working women and college students.

However, the shift from scooter to motorcycle is marked. The young and the old are preferring motorcycles. Transport planners say this trend, which emerged in the State, is now being witnessed all over the country.

The booming two-wheeler population has also thrown challenges to road users and traffic authorities.

Overtaking through the left and speeding by two-wheelers are becoming a matter of concern for the authorities.

Everyday, 62 motorcycles and scooters are involved in accidents in the State. Of them, at least two are killed on the spot.

Head, Transport Planning and Road Safety Division of the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac), Mahesh Chand says only an efficient road network and rail-based public transport system similar to those in the metros can bring down the overdependence on two-wheelers.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Stories in this Section

Walayar check post to be made ‘corruption-free’
VS to open Tulu academy
‘Tax’ing times
Test drive
CPI(M) support for victims of Khammam firing
More people shift to two-wheelers
Epidemics highly possible
No dirt track racing this

Copyright © 2007, The Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of The Hindu