Hyderabad Metro eyes ‘Personal Rapid Transit System’ to solve last-mile connectivity issues

Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMR) has completed a techno-economic feasibility study for introducing a Personal Rapid Transit System (PRTS) to improve last-mile connectivity for metro commuters, ease traffic congestion and promote sustainable urban mobility through a public-private partnership (PPP), managing director Sarfaraz Ahmed said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a stakeholder workshop to gather feedback on the proposed system, he said PRTS would offer a reliable, comfortable and environment-friendly transport option, enabling commuters to travel seamlessly between metro stations and their destinations.

The system is expected to increase metro ridership, reduce dependence on private vehicles and intermediate public transport, and help ease congestion in the city’s rapidly expanding areas. Feedback from government departments, experts and private stakeholders is being compiled to take the project forward, he said.

B.M. Setty of consultant LEA Associates explained how PRTS compared with other public transport systems and outlined two priority study areas. The first covers the Raidurg-Kukatpally corridor, including Raidurg and HITEC City metro stations and the Financial District. The second covers the Secretariat, Hussainsagar, Begumpet, Assembly area and Secunderabad West Metro station.

The presentation discussed the proposed network, ridership estimates, potential depot locations and challenges associated with alignment in certain sections. Government Adviser (Urban Transport and Metro) N.V.S. Reddy highlighted the benefits of the proposed system in improving first and last mile connectivity.

Representatives of government agencies, traffic police, transport bodies, real estate developers, technology firms and academic institutions, including IIT Hyderabad, IIIT Hyderabad and Osmania University, attended the programme moderated by HMR Chief Project Manager B. Anand Mohan, said a press release.