Mumbai slum residents face 46% higher travel costs in poorly connected areas: study

Residents of Mumbai's slum settlements in areas with poor public transport connectivity face 46 per cent higher overall travel costs than those in better-connected areas, with time spent walking, waiting and travelling accounting for 82 per cent of the burden, an IIT Bombay study has found.

The study, led by researcher K T Sarath, surveyed 975 regular public transport users across six informal settlements in Malad East, Borivali East and Vikhroli. It is due to be published in the December edition of Case Studies on Transport Policy.

Using the concept of Generalised Travel Cost, which combines fares with the time and discomfort involved in a journey, researchers found that fares accounted for just 18 per cent of travel costs, while time made up the remaining 82 per cent.

An average 10.9-km journey took 55 minutes, including 11 minutes each of walking and waiting and 33 minutes of travel. Median monthly travel spending was Rs 750, against an average household income of around Rs 26,000.

Income also influenced access to employment opportunities.

While residents in the lowest-income group travelled an average of 9.7 km, those in the highest-income group covered 14.1 km. Researchers attributed the gap to wealthier residents having access to costlier transport options such as autorickshaws, the metro and app-based taxis.

The study described this disparity as "capability deprivation", where poorer residents have fewer transport choices and limited access to employment.

It recommended improving bus services in poorly connected areas. Sarath said even a modest increase in BEST bus frequency could improve mobility in transit deserts.