Improving the urban bus transport ecosystem in Punjab

1. Background:

Punjab grapples with a significant air pollution crisis yearly. The transportation sector is a major contributor to this problem, particularly in urban areas. In terms of shared mobility, historically, the cities in the state have been dependent mainly on informal modes of transport (autos/tempos). However, bus service capacity has recently been augmented in cities such as Amritsar and Ludhiana. Moreover, new vehicle technologies such as e-buses will be introduced through government schemes such as FAME and PM-E bus Sewa in Punjab cities.

As part of the PM E-bus Sewa scheme, four main cities of Punjab—Ludhiana, Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Patiala—will procure around 400 e-buses. Given this, CEEW will support the Punjab Municipal Infrastructure Development Company (PMIDC) in e-bus procurement, operations planning, and rollout in the target cities mentioned above. This support may include existing schemes (PM e-bus Sewa) and proposed state government (self-financing/NCC/GCC) initiatives such as planning and launching e-micro bus services. Thus, CEEW seeks to hire a consultant to manage key tasks with PMIDC and identified city governments of Punjab. The consultant might have to enter into a tri-party agreement between CEEW and PMIDC at a later stage.

Objectives include technical support in the following key focus areas:

• Support PMIDC in planning and operationalisation of bus services in 4 Punjab cities (Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala)
• Development of KPIs for monitoring bus services in all Punjab cities

2. Scope of Work

2.1. Handholding with PMIDC and identified city government agencies of Punjab on:

• Bus services Operationalisation Plan for 4 Punjab cities - Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala
  • Bus operations planning: Route validation surveys, finalising the existing and new routes, rationalisation of routes and services, bus operations planning, optimising schedules and e-bus charging for each of the four cities.
  • Bus procurement and deployment: Support PMIDC in bus procurement and deployment processes through the PM E-bus Sewa scheme in the four cities.
  • E-bus allied infrastructure development: This includes guiding each city in developing bus depots, terminals, bus stops, and charging infrastructure.
  • E-CTU implementation: Advisory support in operationalisation/implementation of e-CTUs for four cities.
  • Other technical bus support: General bus-related technical support for cities and ensuring adequate coordination with client staff at PMIDC.
• Establish monitoring of bus service using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):
  • MRV processes: Technical support in undertaking and/or helping establish processes for monitoring bus services in cities of Punjab. Development of GCC operator performance tracking framework and payment processes. Supporting cities / PMIDC in developing proposals and TORs for control centres/ITMS, etc.
  • Fleet data procurement and management from GCC operators: Advising PMIDC to leverage contract conditions and clauses to regularly gain, maintain and analyse AVL, performance, SOC, and charging patterns data for bus operations.
  • ETM deployment and data: To support and advise PMIDC/CTU with procurement and deployment of ETM within all buses; regularly maintaining and analysing ETM data to develop insights on ridership and routes.
  • Contextual relevance: In consultation with PMIDC and cities, the KPIs must be contextualised for Punjab cities to monitor relevant indicators on ridership, cost efficiency, fleet and asset management, charging, etc.
  • KPIs dedicated to estimating societal benefits/environmental savings: A set of exclusive detailed KPIs for PMIDC/CTUs to estimate the benefits of bus services. These must include reduction in air pollution, GHG emissions and congestion, enhanced safety and mobility for women, senior citizens and children.
  • Handholding city authorities: Supporting cities in tracking the KPIs from day 1 and training the key personnel and nodal officer-in-charge.

2.2. Administrative support in Jalandhar

One full-time staff member will be stationed in Jalandhar to support city-level activities and coordinate regularly with neighbouring Amritsar and Ludhiana cities. As mentioned in 2.1, these cities will require technical handholding.

2.3.Other support to the CEEW team

• Engagement and coordination with stakeholders, including Municipal Corporations, City Transport Undertakings/Transport Department officials and other relevant departments, as needed.
• Development of government meetings collaterals, including presentations, factsheets, etc.
• Planning and making presentations in technical meetings to relevant state and city government agencies, as needed.
• Create any necessary survey forms/questionnaires, as required, in accordance with the technical support required for PMIDC/cities.

3. Output map and timeline

*As and when required during the PMIDC collaboration period till the end of 12 months

NOTE - We are seeking proposals by 20/12/2024 by 1 p.m. as follows at the following emails: samradh.chauhan@ceew.in:

• Technical proposal – (of maximum ten pages)
  • Methodology for the key outputs planned
  • Data collection processes and planning
  • Stakeholder outreach plan
• Company profile - Brief of the company, CVs, past experiences and projects, bus transport planning works, collaboration with state/city governments.
• Financial proposal - Personnel costs, travel costs, taxes and other subheads.