Thane is set to introduce an automated pod taxi service on a pilot basis between Bhayander Pada Metro Station on Ghodbunder Road and Vihang Hills Circle, Maharashtra transport minister Pratap Sarnaik announced on Friday. The initiative aims to ease traffic congestion and provide faster connectivity in the densely populated suburban region.
Pod taxis, also known as Personal Rapid Transit (PRT), are driverless electric vehicles that transport passengers between fixed points at speeds of 60-70 km/hr. Each pod can accommodate up to 16 passengers, operating on an elevated cement girder track supported by steel wheels and tracks.
The 1.8-kilometer stretch will serve as a feeder system, linking internal metro networks to the main metro station at Ghodbunder, offering commuters a quicker alternative to the often-congested roads, especially during the monsoon season when waterlogging worsens traffic delays.
“This experimental project will improve connectivity and significantly cut down travel time for daily commuters,” Sarnaik said, adding that the project will be executed without any cost to the municipal corporation or state government.
A similar pilot project for pod taxis has already been approved in Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC) in Mumbai. Other pilot services will soon commence between JP Infrastructure in Mira-Bhayander and Shivaji Maharaj Statue as well.
Additionally, the government will conduct a Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR) survey to explore more sites for pod taxi and ropeway systems, prioritizing ropeways in areas where they are more feasible.
If the pilot project succeeds, pod taxis could emerge as a key solution to tackle Thane’s growing traffic issues and enhance last-mile connectivity.
