Home / Environment / Study: Ahmedabad's Bus System Fails to Keep Pace
Study: Ahmedabad's Bus System Fails to Keep Pace
13 Apr
Summary
- Walking is the primary mode of transport for 42% of trips.
- Bus services have not expanded with the city's built-up area.
- Electric bus plan risks being costly without system upgrades.
A recent study highlights critical issues within Ahmedabad's public transport system, revealing that walking constitutes 42% of all trips for its estimated 8.5 million residents. Bus services, which accounted for 13% of motorized journeys in 2025, have seen a decline from 25% in 2012. This is despite a 60% expansion of the city's built-up area between 2011 and 2021, with bus route expansion lagging significantly.
Nearly 80% of bus routes in Ahmedabad suffer from headways exceeding 20 minutes, a factor pushing commuters towards two-wheelers, which now dominate 52% of motorized travel. The Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) recovers only 30% of its operating costs, one of the lowest ratios nationally. Buses are frequently overcrowded, with a passenger-to-seat ratio of 2.4.
While the city aims to increase its electric bus fleet to 3,000 by 2030, researchers caution that the electrification strategy risks becoming an expensive addition to an inadequate system without fundamental route redesign, frequency upgrades, and integration with existing Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS). Power costs for fast charging during peak hours are also a concern.
Women comprise 44% of public or intermediate transport users for motorized trips, compared to 32% for men. However, overcrowding and service deficiencies necessitate long walks for many, disproportionately affecting female commuters.
