ITDP India

Promoting sustainable and equitable transportation worldwide

People Near Transit, Transit Near People

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The People Near Transit (PNT) 2026 report assesses public transport accessibility across Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, providing an evidence-based analysis of how effectively the region’s transit network serves its residents.

Using GIS-based spatial analysis, the study measures the population within walking distance of bus, BRTS and Metro services, identifies gaps in frequent bus connectivity, and examines access to key destinations such as employment centres, schools, hospitals and low-income settlements.

The analysis finds that 94% of the combined population has access to at least one public transport mode within standard walking distances. However, only 21% has access to frequent bus services within a five-minute walk, a significant decline from 66% in 2019. The study identifies 16 public transport “transit deserts” where high population density is not matched by adequate service frequency.

It recommends a combination of short- and long-term interventions, including route rationalisation, improved bus frequency, better bus stop infrastructure, prioritisation of BRTS and Metro corridors, and the development of healthy streets along high-frequency bus corridors. It estimates that optimising existing bus routes and improving frequency could increase frequent transit access from 21% to 61% of the population, demonstrating the potential to improve accessibility through better use of existing resources.

The People Near Transit, Transit Near People 2026 report offers a practical evidence base for strengthening public transport accessibility, improving service quality, and building a more equitable and sustainable mobility system for the Pune Metropolitan Region.

Click here to read the publication

Bus Stops Audits in Chennai

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The resource presents ITDP India’s audit of 105 bus stops across key transit corridors in Chennai, assessing passenger information, accessibility, infrastructure, and safety. The study identifies existing gaps and provides practical recommendations to help improve bus stop design, making public transport more accessible, comfortable, and user-friendly.

Read the full report to explore the methodology, findings, and recommendations here.

The Healthy Street Dividend

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The Economic, Social & Environmental Case for Street Transformations

As millions flock to Indian cities for livelihoods, sustainable transport planning has failed to keep pace. The result is choked infrastructure, surging dependence on private vehicles, and a landscape dominated by widened roads and elevated flyovers. Chaotic parking and dangerous speeds have turned streets into hazards for anyone on foot or bicycle. But Indian streets were never meant to be mere vehicle conduits. Historically, they thrived as lively civic spaces, for commerce, casual interactions, and daily life. The flyover-first approach erased that character, prioritising moving traffic over people. Now, a reversal is underway. Across the country, cities are redesigning streets for people, backed by national initiatives. 

Global experience shows that such transformations deliver significant economic, social, and environmental returns. Cities like New York, London, Bogotá, and Singapore have data-backed evidence: pedestrian and cycling improvements boost local economies, retail activity, public health, safety, and liveability, while advancing climate and equity goals. 

Indian cities are investing in street infrastructure, yet the case for such investment remains poorly evidenced in the Indian context. This study fills that gap, producing the first multi-city, multi-indicator impact assessment of Healthy Street (HS) interventions across 10 cities of varying scale and geography.  

To read publication click here

People Near Transit: Chennai

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People Near Transit: Chennai provides a data-driven assessment of public transport accessibility across the Chennai Metropolitan Area. Using the People Near Transit (PNT) methodology, the study measures the proportion of residents who can access public transport within a comfortable walking distance and identifies gaps in service coverage. The analysis shows that 61% of Chennai’s population has access to at least one public transport mode, with buses serving as the backbone of the network. However, only 36% of residents are within walking distance of high-frequency bus services, highlighting the need for service improvements and stronger first- and last-mile connectivity.

The report also evaluates access to employment centres, schools, and pedestrian infrastructure, identifying priority areas for intervention. Its findings support evidence-based planning, multimodal integration, and sustainable mobility initiatives aimed at improving equitable access to public transport across Chennai.

To read the complete report,

Click here for English and Tamil

Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad Perception Study on Air Pollution and Low Emission Zone Strategies

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At Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad, air pollution caused by road transport is a serious public health concern. To combat this, we need Low Emission Zones (LEZ), a strategy in which polluting vehicles are discouraged through vehicle restrictions and pricing measures. But how would the people of these cities respond to this strategy?

To understand how citizens would adapt to LEZ measures, we conducted a one-of-a-kind perception study across 20 neighbourhoods in Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad. The views of 2,000 owners of personal vehicles (two-wheelers and four-wheelers) were recorded, capturing the following insights:

  1. Citizens’ change in travel behaviour in case of a ban on high polluting vehicle 
  2. Citizens change in travel behaviour if the high polluting vehicles could be still allowed by paying a daily pollution cess, instead of banning.

To know more, read the full document here

Cycling In Our Cities

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Cycling in Our Cities is a multi-city study by ITDP India that examines how citizens perceive and experience cycling infrastructure in Indian cities. Conducted across Pune, Pimpri Chinchwad, and Nagpur, the study aims to inform future cycling infrastructure planning by understanding what works—and what doesn’t—for everyday cyclists.

What Was Surveyed
The study surveyed 605 cyclists and non-cyclists and assessed over 152 km of cycling infrastructure across the three cities. It evaluated four common infrastructure types: footpath-level cycle tracks, at-grade segregated cycle tracks, painted cycle lanes on carriageways, and shared streets with traffic calming measures.

Key Takeaways
Obstructions emerged as the biggest deterrent to cycling, cited by 56% of cyclists, with parked vehicles, vendor encroachments, and motor vehicle movement being the most common issues. Shared streets with traffic calming were consistently rated as the safest and most comfortable environments, while segregated cycle tracks performed poorly due to encroachments, poor surfaces, and broken continuity. The findings highlight that effective cycling infrastructure requires not just good design, but also strong enforcement and maintenance.

Find the full publication here.

Reimagining Chennai’s Mobility For The Next 25 Years

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A visual comic that breaks down Chennai’s Comprehensive Mobility Plan, tracing how the city’s transport vision will shape movement, streets, and everyday journeys over the next 25 years.

This resource is available to read in both English and Tamil—click to explore.

Comprehensive Mobility Plan for Chennai Metropolitan Area

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This study report serves as the executive summary of the Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) for the Chennai Metropolitan Area. The CMP is a long-term strategic vision that integrates land use and urban transport planning to guide mobility in the CMA over the next 25 years.

Read the full publication here.

Situational Analysis of Chennai Streets

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This study report assesses the current situation of pedestrian infrastructure in Chennai. Taking the case of 14 streets in different parts of the city, the report seeks to create awareness and a dialogue surrounding successes and gaps in the infrastructure, prompting the identification of future areas of intervention.

Read the full publication here.

Accelerating Clean Mobility through India’s ZEV Opportunity

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This publication dives into India’s electric bus journey and what’s holding it back. and the urgent steps needed to make it real. While buses move over 32 crore passengers every day, only a small fraction are electric. It unpacks why this gap persists, pointing to challenges like limited manufacturing capacity, inconsistent procurement, and over-reliance on short-term incentives.

Through engaging data, expert perspectives, and real-world stories, it introduces Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) availability standards, a globally proven policy tool that can transform India’s e-bus ecosystem. Drawing lessons from leaders like China and California, it lays out a clear, phased roadmap for India to electrify its bus fleets, boost local manufacturing, and cut urban emissions.

We hope this serves as a practical guide for State Transport Undertakings (STUs), the private bus sector, and policymakers at both national and state levels to frame supply-side regulations and standards that accelerate the transition to zero-emission mobility.

Click to download the full publication here: Accelerating Clean Mobility through India’s ZEV Opportunity