For every it has bus, city adds 16 two-wheelers each month

Surat: As New Delhi moves to curb new petrol two-wheeler registrations in a push for cleaner mobility, Surat is heading in the opposite direction. The city is adding around 12,500 two-wheelers every month while operating just 775 public buses, underscoring its growing dependence on private transport and exposing gaps in public connectivity.Surat currently has 775 buses in operation for public transport, while nearly 12,500 new two-wheelers are added every month. The disparity highlights the city’s increasing reliance on private vehicles, driven largely by inadequate public transport coverage.Data shows that the number of two-wheelers in the city has risen from around 32 lakh in 2024 to nearly 35 lakh now, reflecting a sharp increase in vehicle ownership.Urban planners and road safety experts warn that the trend is worsening traffic congestion, increasing fuel consumption and adding to pollution levels.The surge in vehicles has triggered frequent traffic snarls across the city, increasing travel time for commuters and reducing road efficiency. Authorities have also had to invest heavily in road widening projects and flyovers to accommodate rising traffic, adding to long-term infrastructure and maintenance costs.

“Growing number of two-wheelers is a concern in three ways. It increases congestion on roads, adds to pollution and raises fuel consumption several times more than a bus,” said Dr Gaurang Joshi, professor of transport planning at Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology.Joshi said transporting the same number of people on two-wheelers requires nearly three times more road space than a bus. “One bus can cater to at least 500 people in a day, while a two-wheeler serves a maximum of two persons,” he said.For many residents, however, owning a two-wheeler remains a necessity rather than a choice.“People have to depend on two-wheelers or auto-rickshaws when buses are limited. If there were better bus services, many would avoid spending on vehicles and fuel,” said Harish Thadani, a textile businessman.Thadani said he had made several representations to authorities seeking bus connectivity in more areas, but received little response.

He now hopes the upcoming Surat Metro will help ease the city’s transport burden.Experts also point to another consequence of rising two-wheeler ownership — unauthorised parking that occupies road space and worsens congestion.“Fatality risks are significantly higher for two-wheeler riders, and many do not use adequate safety gear. Increasing the number of buses can reduce traffic pressure and create safer road space,” said road safety activist Yogesh Mistry.