A perspective : How I get around Mumbai without a car

Over time, I have realised that not only is taking out my car stressful, but also time consuming. Further, finding parking is tricky in many places.

As an enthusiast, I always look out for the next opportunity to drive, but where the primary aim is to get from one place to another, a car may not be the best option, especially if it involves driving during peak hours.

Multimodal transportation simply means the way people travel by multiple means of transportation including driving / riding (cars / bikes), taking a bus or train, cabs, or even renting a car or an electric cycle on a short term basis.

With the ongoing metro construction, lack of parking and increasing number of vehicles on the road, driving in Mumbai is no longer fun. It also takes a lot of time and makes you miserable especially if you are behind the wheel. It's not unheard of to have commute times of over 4 hours every day. In some of the Western suburbs, the peak hour traffic speed is even less than walking speed.

Why I choose public transportation in Mumbai.

I stay in Navi Mumbai and my work takes me to Mumbai. I also happen to frequent almost all the parts of the Mumbai region including Vasai-Virar / Panvel, Thane, etc. on a monthly basis. Over time, I have realised that not only is taking out my car stressful, but also time consuming. Further, finding parking is tricky in many places.

1. Office commutes - Thanks to fixed timings, the AC bus service run by NMMT was chosen. The morning trip used to be predictable, but on the way back, the bus got delayed due to traffic. I could easily spend this time listening to some podcasts, music or even take a nap. If something urgent came up, I always had the opportunity to fire up my laptop as well. Bus stop to office / home was done walking or by an auto on those rare occasions that I got bored.

2. Zoomcar - For airport drops and pickups, I take a Scorpio from Zoomcar. The costs are at par with taxi rates for larger cars + some deals make it even sweeter. Not the most comfortable car out there, but with the 3rd row seats folded, it can accommodate a serious amount of luggage. Even if there are multiple guests coming over, the Scorpio is the designated luggage car! It also came in handy to transport some stuff for a friend when he was moving houses. 

During some town side meetings, when I was not getting a cab, I figured out that renting a Zoomcar for a day is at the same price / cheaper. This happens when dad takes the car. It's also an opportunity to try out different cars. I got this Figo for Rs. 900 for 5-6 hours, while an Uber one way would be easily above Rs. 500. 

3. Local trains - I don't use trains frequently due to the crowds, but they are an excellent way to travel in non-peak hours. Consider this, a fast train from Dadar to Vasai takes under an hour while driving your car could easily take you 2.5+ hours. One evening, coming back from Kandivali to home, it took me just 2 hours by taking a combination of trains and an auto. Try that in your car.

Most train stations have car, bike and cycle parking making it possible to leave your vehicle in a secured parking while you use the trains for a speedy commute. The last mile connectivity can be taken care of by other means.

4. Metro - The metro is a great option for East-West connectivity. Though not very useful for us living on the other side of the pond, there have been instances when reaching Andheri was faster by taking a bus to Chembur, an auto to Ghatkopar metro station and then towards Andheri in the metro. With the construction of new lines underway, it's not going to be long before we get a much better public transport experience.

5. BEST buses - The bright red buses are a highlight of the city. They operate from early morning to late night. On certain routes, they start as early as 5 am and run up to 1.30 am. I have relied on them many times and barring stray breakdowns, never had any problems. Can't say that they are the fastest way to get around, but they are cheap, convenient and hassle free.

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6. Taxi - Thanks to aggregators like Ola and Uber along with the regular kaali-peeli taxis, there is no shortage of cabs to get you around the city. With options like Uber Pool, these can be a good alternative to your car. My Uber trips usually include getting back home after a late night. Nothing beats the convenience of app-based cab services. You know that there will be a car to take you to your destination. For shorter trips, I prefer black & yellow cabs.

7. Cycling - What initially started as a hobby is now a mode of transport for me. From local errands and medium distance trips (20 km), I have used my cycle multiple times over the years apart from the usual morning rides. Cycling brings about an interesting perspective and allows you to not only beat the traffic, but also take in the sights.

There has also been a shared cycle service called as Yulu in Navi Mumbai. The best part is that they allow different pickup and drop locations and it's super handy to have one point right outside my apartment and other convenient locations like bus stops, train stations, major attractions etc. 

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8. Walking - This is the easiest form of transportation. Often ignored, or considered trivial, it's a vital part of getting around town. Not only is it healthy for you, but there are still some pedestrian only paths that cut across neighbourhoods and take you to your destination faster, while taking a car would mean going all the way around. 

Thanks to all the abovementioned ways, I am able to not only reduce my travel time, but also make commuting less stressful. And as a bonus, I look forward to taking my car out on the weekend.