Hyderabad Metro studies pod-car transit to fix last-mile gaps, shortlists two corridors

Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMR) has completed a techno-economic feasibility study for introducing a Personal Rapid Transit System (PRTS) to improve last-mile connectivity for metro commuters, managing director Sarfaraz Ahmed said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a stakeholder workshop convened to gather feedback on the proposal, Mr Ahmed said the system would offer a reliable, comfortable and environment-friendly transport option, enabling commuters to travel seamlessly between metro stations and their final destinations.

HMR is examining the project under a public-private partnership (PPP) model. The agency expects such a system to increase metro ridership, reduce dependence on private vehicles and intermediate public transport such as autorickshaws and buses, and help ease congestion in the city's rapidly expanding areas.

A Personal Rapid Transit System typically uses small, automated, driverless vehicles — often called pods — running on dedicated guideways. Each pod carries a handful of passengers and is usually summoned on demand, with few or no intermediate stops. Proponents present it as a supplement to high-capacity mass transit rather than a replacement, since pods carry far fewer people than a metro train.

B.M. Setty of the consultant LEA Associates explained how PRTS compares with other public transport systems and outlined two priority study areas. The first covers the Raidurg–Kukatpally corridor, including the Raidurg and HITEC City metro stations and the Financial District. The second covers the Secretariat, Hussainsagar, Begumpet, Assembly area and Secunderabad West metro station.

The presentation discussed the proposed network, ridership estimates, potential depot locations and the challenges associated with alignment in certain sections.

Government Adviser (Urban Transport and Metro) N.V.S. Reddy highlighted the benefits of the proposed system in improving first- and last-mile connectivity.

Representatives of government agencies, traffic police, transport bodies, real estate developers, technology firms and academic institutions, including IIT Hyderabad, IIIT Hyderabad and Osmania University, attended the programme, which was moderated by HMR Chief Project Manager B. Anand Mohan, according to a press release.

Officials said feedback from government departments, experts and private stakeholders is being compiled to take the project forward. HMR has not announced a timeline, cost estimate or final alignment for the system. The completion of a feasibility study does not by itself constitute approval of the project, and any implementation would depend on further technical, financial and regulatory clearances.

Last-mile connectivity has been a persistent challenge for metro systems across India, where commuters often shift back to private vehicles or shared transport for the final stretch of their journey. How far a system such as PRTS can address that gap — and at what cost per passenger — is likely to be a central question as the proposal moves through the consultation stage.