MG Motor India has released the Urban Mobility Happiness Survey Report. The survey, conducted by Nielsen, gathered insights into the mobility patterns of people living in India’s major cities and the challenges they face while commuting.
The findings of this survey reflect the state of urban transport in India and may prove useful to all stakeholders including policy makers in promoting better urban transport infrastructure for all.
The survey was conducted in eight major cities, most of which residents face numerous challenges in their daily commutes. Respondents to the survey included men and women aged 18 to 37 who owned at least one car in their household.
74% believe that insufficient parking infrastructure is a common problem
Parking is a common problem faced by car owners in Indian cities. Only 26 percent of survey respondents found it easy to find parking, while 74 percent experienced difficulties with parking availability and management in their cities.
71% of car owners in India travel with only one passenger
Shared mobility is not a popular practice among most car owners in Indian cities. Some 71 percent of survey respondents said they drive alone or at most with other passengers. A paltry 1% of respondents always travel with more than one passenger.
73% of urban commuters prefer personal mobility
Cars are commonly used for intra-city commuting, with 73% of respondents reporting using their car daily or occasionally to commute to work or college. Additionally, urban car owners often use their cars for housework, shopping, social outings, and weekend trips.
Respondents see significant shift in different powertrain options as gasoline remains preferred
A sizable portion of people in India’s major cities still favor gasoline-powered vehicles despite growing environmental concerns related to fossil fuels. According to the survey, 50% of the respondents own a petrol car, while 35% own a diesel car. Still, the trend of car owners turning to alternative powertrain technologies is on the rise.
Longer distances and longer travel times make city travel bad
Some 71 percent of survey respondents said they spend more than 30 minutes to an hour commuting to get off work or college each day. A whopping 61% of respondents admitted that they are traveling more than they normally did five years ago.
Fuel price hikes affecting urban commuters
Rising fuel prices have had a pervasive effect across the country, and urban car owners are no exception. Some 52 percent said fuel hikes had a big impact on them. Furthermore, nearly 50% of respondents reported spending more than Rs 6,000 per month on fuel.
Compact, smart cars a possible solution to urban mobility challenges
Smart mobility solutions have long been touted as a possible answer to the problems facing urban mobility in India. The UMHI survey found that nearly 90 percent of people believe that compact smart cars can reduce their travel time in cities and solve many of the challenges they face on their daily commute.
Commenting on the survey, Gaurav Gupta, Chief Commercial Officer, MG Motor India said, “The results of the ‘Urban Mobility Survey’ have provided us with valuable insights into the driving behavior of Indian consumers and their preferences for mobility solutions. The survey clearly reflects It shows that car owners prioritize convenience, safety and the overall driving experience in addition to the performance and functionality of their vehicles.”
