Pod Taxis: The future of public transportation in India

Have you ever felt tired of all the crowds and rush surrounding the streets of Noida? Well, it is time for a change. The region is all set to have India’s first pod Taxis, bringing a revolution in the whole commuting system in existence. With lesser commuting time, no traffic congestion, automated systems, and other advantages, this would be a great step toward the future of transportation. There was great anticipation surrounding the idea and the project for a long time.

In a recent development, the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRRC) has finally received a heads-up from The Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority to proceed with the revised DPR (Detailed Project Report) and the bid document. To put it simply, the concerned authorities can soon begin with the construction work after a few more formalities. Before we look at how it is going to be a game changer or how it is going to benefit you, let us first look at what exactly we mean by Pod Taxis. Following this, we will be looking at its features, benefits, issues, and probable future. Let’s get started!

What are Pod Taxis?

Also known as Personalized Rapid Transit (PRT), Pod Taxis are one of the most advanced modes of transportation available today. It is a small, fully automated cubic-shaped vehicle that runs on electricity. It has separate tracks with no interference with any other transportation system.

Features of Pod Taxis

While you already have a brief idea of Pod Taxis, you will understand it better by knowing more about the various features it offers to the consumers. So, here are a few prominent features of Pod Taxis.

Fully Automated

Pod Taxis are completely run by machines and computer systems with no need for human intervention. Apart from fixed timers, they also have facilities like emergency breaks to avoid any possible accident.

Eco Friendly

These taxis are powered by electricity which means zero emissions and in turn, no pollution. And, in a world that is struggling to move toward a sustainable future, getting a public transportation system that is also eco-friendly is the need of the hour.

Electric Power

As mentioned before, Pod Taxis run on electricity which can be generated through various means like solar energy for instance. This would help to save a lot of natural resources and would also offer a more cost-effective system in the long run.

Dedicated Guideways

Pod Taxis have a dedicated network of tracks elevated at a higher level to keep them separated from roads. This allows the taxi to go from one place to another with no stoppage in between due to any other external factors.

These were some of the major characteristics of Pod Taxis but how do they benefit you? Well, we will be talking about the same in the next section.

Benefits of Pod Taxis

From metros to cabs, India accommodates a wide range of options when it comes to modes of transportation. Even after having so many options available, the roads are still crowded and the people are still struggling to commute to different places in time. However, the introduction of Pod Taxis can solve a lot of such problems bringing in even more benefits. Let’s see how!

Less Congestion

Since Pod Taxis will have their own separate tracks, the crowd on the road will not disturb its route. It doesn’t only make Pod Taxis more efficient but also helps reduce traffic and congestion in general.

Reduced Commuting Time

Given that the Pod Taxis will have separate Guideways, they can run at a higher speed with no unwanted stops in between. This would help the passengers to significantly reduce their commuting time. And, the interval between two pod Taxis will most likely be just 20 seconds, saving you from long wait times. This way, you would no longer be late for your offices or college.

Greater Comfort

The seats are designed to provide the passengers with the utmost comfort. Moreover, a Pod Taxi can accommodate only a limited number of passengers at once. This will ensure that there’s no crowd and enough space for all, ensuring a greater level of comfort while traveling unlike metros and local buses.

Ease of Operation

Being fully automated in nature, Pod Taxis does not require any human drivers. This implies that there would be no need to hire and pay the drivers. Moreover, the Pod Taxis have fewer moving parts than traditional taxis and it is battery operated. It lessens the effort put into its maintenance. Both of these factors combined together significantly reduce the overall cost of operations as well as the energy put into it.

Capacity

As mentioned earlier, the Pod Taxis can fit only a fixed number of people at a time. A single Pod Taxi can take up to 4-6 passengers at a time. However, the good part is that the next Pod Taxi would take only 20 seconds to arrive so you won’t have to wait for long. It is planned to help around 37,000 passengers travel on an everyday basis.

Safety

Since Pod Taxis are driverless, it reduces the risks of any human error resulting in accidents. In addition, these taxis are equipped with other safety measures like collision-avoiding sensors and emergency brakes. Based on the available data and research, the accident rate in Pod Taxis is almost zero.

Sustainability

Although this point has been briefly covered in the above section, this is still something that needs to be emphasized. Most of the transportation system today utilizes a lot of natural resources, leaves carbon footprints, cause excessive air and noise pollution, and whatnot! So, having Pod Taxis would be a great move toward sustainable development.

With all of the features and benefits combined, Pod Taxis can open gates for a whole new way of commuting. And, it might have a great edge over other modes of transportation.

Challenges for Pod Taxis in India

Undoubtedly, Pod Taxis come with its own set of advantages and the reasons to adopt the system are endless. However, there are also obstacles that might be faced by Pod Taxis in India. To mention, here are a few of them.

Availability of Land & Resources

Building special Guideways dedicated to Pod Taxis would require a large area and, a continuous flow of electricity and other resources. This is something a lot of regions in India still struggle with. So, it might not be possible for most of them to welcome this concept.

Immediate Cost

The first Pod Taxi project costs around Rs 810 crores which is not a small amount and might not be feasible for every state. While there would be a significant cut in cost in the long run, the immediate cost would be high.

Acceptance

While the people in our country have always been open to innovation, the rural-urban divide is something that needs to be kept in mind. A majority of the population in the country still live in rural areas and a lot of people still struggle with escalators and metros. So, it wouldn’t be as acceptable for them as the urban areas.

However, all of these challenges have been almost tackled by the authorities in Uttar Pradesh for the time being. The expansion of the system might have to take these factors into consideration but for now, it looks like there’s a green signal.

Pod Taxis in Other Countries

The Pod Taxis is not a very novel concept but the need for it today is more than ever. Tracing back to its origin, the first Pod Taxi in India was tried at West Virginia University (WVU) in the 1970s. There are several other regions in the world that are currently using Pod Taxis including Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, London’s Heathrow Airport, and other places in Japan and South Korea. The Indian system of Pod Taxis is also being developed based on the lessons from these countries.

While Pod Taxis has become trendy and profitable in some cases, it is facing losses in others. So, it also depends on the demography, resources, and preferences of the people varying from place to place. However, all the factors like availability of land, electricity, and willingness of people have been taken into consideration before getting the ideas approved by the higher authorities in Uttar Pradesh. Therefore, the launch of Pod Taxis in India is expected to see a successful beginning.

The future of Pod Taxis in India

India has never lagged behind in terms of technology and innovation. So, why this time? Inspired by the successful operation of Pod Taxis in foreign countries, India has also been discussing the idea for a very long time and it’s finally time to implement it. The first “Pod Taxi” project is going to be launched in the state of Uttar Pradesh, connecting Jewar Airport to the proposed Film City in Noida. It will run across a distance of around 14.6 km with the route falling on the lines of Handicraft Park, Apparel Park, MSME Park in Sector 29, industrial units in Sector 32, and Toy Park in Sector 33.

There will be around 12 stations in total with a travel time of 20 minutes, more or less. The authorities have planned to launch 690 pods but the release will be in phases. The first phase would witness the launch of around 101 pods. People took no time to adapt to metros when it first came. Even with EVs, people are welcoming toward the experiment and change. So, it doesn’t seem like there would be any great resistance from the citizens. Moreover, the benefits that come along with the Pod Taxis are tempting enough in a country where transportation is always a matter of chaos and people keep looking for better options.

Conclusion

Isn’t the idea of traveling in a Pod Taxi fascinating? Something different, innovative, refreshing, and above all, something more efficient. And, even more so if you’re someone dedicated to creating a better environment. The idea of Pod Taxis is a perfect intersection of modernization, sustainability, and efficiency. Based on the discussion above, one can clearly expect the Pod Taxis to be the new normal when it comes to commuting.

However, it would take a significant amount of time for it to stretch its existence to other parts of the country. And, that initiative would also be taken based on the success or failure of the first project. It might be too early to predict with certainty how the whole system is going to end up. But, it would be an interesting attempt. And, we will all be rooting for it!

If you are looking for taxi service in Noida, then you can choose wow taxi service in Noida to plan your trip.

FAQs

1. When will India get its first Pod Taxi?

The project has been approved by the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) and the Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited (IPRRC) is soon going to start the work. The completion is expected by the year 2024.

2. How much will it cost to set up Pod Taxis in India?

The first Pod Taxi project in the country is being developed at a cost of Rs 810 crores and it would take around 35 years before it starts running in profit. Since this is the first time the system is being implemented in India, it might be costing more. If there’s a plan to expand it further in the future, it might be easier and more cost-efficient.

3. Will Pod Taxis be accessible to the general public?

Pod Taxis are being launched as a public transportation system. So, it goes without saying that it is meant for the general public to access.

4. How much will I have to pay for traveling in the Pod Taxis?

Although the fixed rate is yet to be confirmed, there are certain speculations. Based on the report, the Pod Taxis will be available for passengers at a minimal charge of Rs 8 per kilometer.

5. When will Pod Taxi come to my city?

As for now, the Pod Taxis are planned to be launched only in the state of Uttar Pradesh. However, it might witness expansion to other cities in the future.