Hyderabad, India - Transport

Transport

Public modes of transport such as buses, auto rickshaws and light railways are the most commonly used in Hyderabad. As of 2007, its vehicle distribution is 75% two-wheelers, 14% cars, 1% taxis, 4% goods vehicles, 2% buses and 4% other vehicles. As of 2012, there are 77,035 auto rickshaws and 3,800 RTC buses. In some parts of the city cycle rickshaws are hired to travel smaller distances. As of 2001, two-wheelers and cars are involved in 50% of road accidents, public transport buses and trucks in 10% and auto-rickshaws in 15%. Altogether, 12% of the accidents are fatal and 88% result in injury (including the 40% of accidents that occur because pedestrian facilities are either lacking or blocked by street vendors). As of 2010, maximum speed limits within the city are 50 km/h (31 mph) for two-wheelers and cars, 35 km/h (22 mph) for auto rickshaws and 40 km/h (25 mph) for light commercial vehicles and buses.

Three National Highways pass through the city: NH-7, NH-9 and NH-202. Five state highways, SH-1, SH-2, SH-4, SH-5 and SH-6, either begin at or pass through Hyderabad, and traffic congestion is widespread. Like many other Indian metropolitan cities, Hyderabad faces parking problems, particularly in the city centre. Roads occupy 6% of the total city area. The Inner Ring Road, the Outer Ring Road and various interchanges, overpasses and underpasses have been developed to ease the congestion. As of 2008, the Hyderabad Elevated Expressway is the longest flyover in India.

The bus service provided by the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) is the most frequently used means of public transport within the city. According to Guinness World Records 2005, APSRTC operates the world's largest fleet of buses in terms of number of commuters, estimated to carry 13 million passengers a day. The Mahatma Gandhi Bus Station in the city centre is the main bus station. Setwin (Society for Employment Promotion & Training in Twin Cities) operates minibuses in the city. Hired transport includes taxis and the widely used auto rickshaws.

The Secunderabad Railway Station is the headquarters of the South Central Railway zone of Indian Railways, and the largest station in Hyderabad. Other major railway stations are Hyderabad Deccan Station, Kachiguda Railway Station and Begumpet Railway Station. Hyderabad's light rail transportation system, known as the Multi-Modal Transport System, is used by over 150,000 passengers daily. Hyderabad Metro, a rapid transit system, is under construction and is scheduled to operate three lines by 2014. Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGAI) (IATA: HYD, ICAO: VOHS) was opened in 2008, replacing Begumpet Airport. In 2011, Airports Council International, an autonomous body representing the world's airports, judged RGAI the world's best airport in the 5–15 million passenger category and the world's fifth best airport for Airport service quality.