Social Benefit Cost Analysis of Electric Bus Transit for Ahmedabad

This paper is an attempt to compute social benefit cost analysis (SBCA) for the proposed electric bus rapid transit system (e-BRTS) in Ahmedabad. Governments and urban local bodies in many countries including India are exploring the possibility of adoption of electric bus mobility with a view to promote green modes of transport. Electric bus rapid transit system is being envisaged for Ahmedabad and partial funding has recently been sanctioned by the Government of India for the purpose. This research focusses on the social benefit cost analysis of e-BRTS for the specific scale and context proposed for the city. Various components of benefits and costs to road users and agency have been identified and quantified. The present worth of these components has been calculated, which reveal a benefit cost ratio greater than unity for the case. The authors conclude that the electric BRTS has substantial societal benefits and may be viewed as a fruitful investment for the city. The implications of this study lies in communicating to the concerned government authorities and policy makers that e-BRTS is socio economically feasible and thereby need to be promoted by Government of India for meeting the goals of sustainable development.