Uttar Pradesh will run India’s first Pod Taxi also known as the Personalised Rapid Transit. The Yamuna Authorityapproved the taxi project’s revised DPR and bid document. The Pod Taxi would connect Noida international Airport in Jewar to the Film City.
The Construction work will start soon after the government approves the project, according to the Uttar Pradesh Index.
ROUTE, STATIONS AND CAPACITY
The Pod Taxis will connect Noida’s Jewar airport to Film City in Sector 21. The Pod Taxi is estimated to carry around 37,000 passengers on a daily basis in these new-age Pod Taxis. The present rail pod is to be 2–14 km long and will have 12 stations.
COST AND ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE
The Rs 810 crore project will likely be completed by the end of 2024 after getting final approval from the government.
WHAT ARE POD TAXIS?
POD taxis are used as a means of public transport in many developed countries like the UK, Abu Dhabi and the Netherlands. These electric and driverless vehicles are small automated cars designed to transport a handful of passengers from one place to another at a much faster speed. These vehicles move on an electrically powered track. As the tracks do not interfere with road traffic, they ensure nonstop point to point travel and pollution free vehicles.
The pods can carry four to six passengers at a time. The pods are controlled by a central computer system that regulates the speed, direction and destination of each pod. The passengers can choose their destination from a touch screen inside the pod or at the station. The pods can travel at an average speed of 60 kilometres per hour and offer nonstop point-to-point travel.
HOW SAFE ARE POD TAXIS?
Pod Taxis are equipped with sensors and operate on a separate guide way that does not interfere with road traffic. A central computer system regulates the speed, direction and destination of each pod.
BENEFITS OF POD TAXIS
- Environmentally friendly and can run on solar energy and other renewable energy sources.
- Safe and have a zero accident rate.
- Cost-effective and reduce maintenance costs to about one-eighth of cars running on combustible fuels.
- Convenient and offer nonstop point-to-point travel, avoiding traffic congestion and delays.
