The Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR), Kochi, in collaboration with Christ University, is organising a stakeholder roundtable on Unlocking Shared Mobility in Karnataka. The event aims to facilitate dialogue on reforming the stage-carriage contract framework to enable shared intermediate public transport (IPT) services across Karnataka’s urban and rural regions.

Shared mobility services—including shared auto-rickshaws, vans and other forms of intermediate public transport—play a vital role in addressing first- and last-mile connectivity challenges, particularly in areas underserved by conventional public transport. Despite their widespread use, many of these services continue to operate within regulatory frameworks that do not adequately reflect evolving mobility needs, limiting their potential to complement formal public transport systems.

The roundtable will bring together policymakers, transport authorities, academics, researchers, practitioners and industry representatives to deliberate on policy and regulatory reforms that can enable safe, efficient and commuter-centric shared mobility services. Discussions will explore opportunities to modernise the stage-carriage contract carriage framework, strengthen multimodal integration and improve access to affordable transport for communities across Karnataka.

The discussions will also draw on findings from CPPR’s research on shared mobility and public transport reforms, contributing to evidence-based policy recommendations for creating a more inclusive and sustainable urban mobility ecosystem.