A body of multinationals has planned to start a shuttle service for ferrying their employees from Metro stations to their respective offices, which will ease bumper-to-bumper traffic and discourage the use of personal vehicles. While many young professionals give a thumbs up to the idea, others feel that they will think twice before hopping on the Metro as it is usually crowded.
Rahul Karmakar, an IT engineer working in Gurgaon, spends two hours everyday travelling 64 km to and from his office in the Millennium City and is eagerly waiting for the Metro to start its services. “I am sure my office will also be providing us the shuttle service. Once it is operational commuters will be able to save on time, fuel and it will lessen the burden on roads,” he says.
By manipulating traffic, carbon footprints can be reduced. It will also offer a solution to cut down on vehicular pollution to improve the quality of air. “Driving is a hassle these days. I would love to take the Metro to my office. Also around two weeks back it appeared in newspapers that the movement of vehicles making daily trips between Delhi and the NCR towns, could be severely restricted from entering the capital during the Commonwealth Games to bring air pollution down to acceptable levels. If we take the Metro and get a shuttle service provided by our companies, commuting would not be a problem during the restriction period,” says Sharoni Mitra, a Genpact employee.
But those car pooling to work are finding it hard to leave the comfort of a car for a crowded Metro ride. They say, since this line will connect the city to an NCR, it is bound to be packed.
Abhigyan Chintan car pools with four of his colleagues for the simple reason that it saves money, fuel, is convenient and flexible.
“We often have meetings which stretch till late hours. And it would not be safe especially for girls to take a shuttle followed by the tube at 10 in the night,” he explains.
Agrees Abhijit Sen (name changed) by saying that timing would be a big issue as most of the offices work round the clock. “Companies can’t totally do away with cabs and buses and not everybody would be comfortable with a Metro ride,” he says.