Can shared mobility bridge India’s last-mile connectivity gap?

In this conversation, Chaithra Navada speaks with Shri. B. J. Antony, Former Senior Deputy Transport Commissioner, about the future of shared mobility in India and the policy reforms needed to unlock its potential.

Drawing on his extensive experience with Kerala’s Motor Vehicles Department, his role as a consultant to Kochi Metro, and his contribution to drafting the Kerala Metropolitan Transport Authority (KMTA) Act, Mr. Antony explains how shared mobility and Intermediate Public Transport (IPT) services—such as share autos and Vikrams—already serve commuters where conventional bus networks fall short.

The discussion explores:

• The importance of shared mobility in strengthening first- and last-mile connectivity
• The legal and regulatory barriers limiting the growth of IPT services
• Why India’s permit framework must evolve to accommodate changing mobility needs
• Lessons from Kochi Metro’s feeder service model for integrating shared mobility with public transport
• The role of policy reforms in building a more accessible, efficient, and inclusive transport ecosystem

This conversation is part of CPPR’s #UnlockSharedSavaari initiative, which advocates for enabling policy and regulatory reforms to legalise and integrate shared mobility across India.

Learn more: www.sharedmobilityindia.com