Sitilink BRTS - India

Sitilink is a Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) that has been proposed in the Indian city of Surat as a step towards a smart and sustainable transit system.

Fast facts:

A 102-kilometer BRTS network is being planned and will cover more than 80% of the city's sprawl. Out of this, 30 kilometers is already operational;
The currently operational system has 24 buses that transport 17,000 passengers per day;
The BRTS is a huge source of employment and offers positions at bus stations, ticketing offices and bus operations offices.

The problem

Surat in India has a population of 4.46 million (2011) and has had to deal with an inadequate and discontinuous supply of public transit. The city totally depends on three-wheelers acting as para-transit and private vehicles as the chief modes of transport. Further, the city continues to build out the road network and build additional river bridges and flyovers.

The solution

Now, the city is taking serious initiatives to promote a more sustainable urban transport system. Sitilink BRTS aims to reduce vehicle emissions through modal shifts in favour of public transport and is empowering the marginalised section of society to commute with safe, accessible and affordable transit.

Helping the planet

The city is promoting the use of sustainable transportation which will mitigate the impacts of climate change. The positive environmental impacts will depend on an increase in ridership and modal shifts.

Helping people

Typically, the vehicle operating costs for two wheelers is USD 0.12 for a trip of two kilometers. The BRTS is very affordable. The minimum fare for commuting in BRTS is USD 0.08 for a two-kilometer trip, which is one of the lowest in the country. Free trial runs providing free commuting has been in practice prior to commercially launching the system. This allows for cost free commuting for all citizens across all sections of society including economically weaker sections. During this free trial period, the passengers experiences the quality of travel in BRTS.
BRTS corridors are developed with 'Complete street development' initiative, by allowing safe commuting for buses and non-motorized transport like walking and cycling.

Scaling Up

Sitilink BRTS is designed as a scalable network and is ensuring mobility security for the future by enhancing the capacity of the city transit network. The complete system is designed as a network. The system is designed with a complementary feeder service to increase accessibility and achieve last mile connectivity.