Feedback of 'Sustainability of Shared Mobility: A Case Study of Share-Cabs in

Chennai':

The report is an original and genuine work of research that emphasizes the importance of shared
mobility from a sustainable perspective. Public transportation is popular in India, but the ease
of obtaining private vehicles beats it, leaving no room for competition for shared mobility.
Shared mobility used to be popular in India but is in desperate need of a quality framework. To
support and understand this framework, the sustainability index of an urban area was
researched, which forms the crux of this paper.

Overall, the researchers have put strenuous effort into obtaining surveys from the stakeholders.
The method of analysis carried out was appropriately executed, relying on the age
demographic. The study's time frame was appropriate and the data obtained from the
methodology couples well with the results. The limitations were well elucidated in the paper.

Shared cabs do not mean competition to other modes that offer paratransit service. This favours
the use of shared cabs, which was notable mentioned in the paper. However, questions will
arise comparing shared cabs with other modes of transportation based on cost, parking, fuel,
convenience etc, which could have been mentioned in the paper. A survey comparing the
sustainability index of shared mobility and other vehicles would have added greater leverage
to the paper.

The difference between shared mobility and public transport was covered well, considering
most of them mistake them for the same. A reasonable explanation was given for why Indians
prefer private vehicles to public transportation. The paper seemed to reflect a novice attempt
to understand the relevancy of shared cabs in an urban nexus like Chennai. The paper could
have incorporated a coherent writing structure with a better flow.

For example, the introduction could have included the history of ride-sharing, the reason for
its ban, the underlying opportunities of societal benefits in shared mobility, and how popular
other modes of paratransit are, such as autos and call taxis. If shared cabs were to be introduced,
how can it complement public transport rather than compete against it could have been
mentioned.

Some definitions were missed out. Definition of Shared Mobility, Mobility as a Service
(MaaS), Paratransit, Sustainability Index could have been added as these words carry so much
importance. The parameters involved in measuring Sustainability Index could have been added.

In a case study, it is usual to point out what was inferred from the research. However, this paper
could have suggested solutions along with the case study, such as policies on how shared cabs
and public transportation can function smoothly, complementing each other in India.
Awareness of the limitations involved will provide more scope for its research in the future.

In statistics, inferring 'why' certain age groups find/didn't find shared mobility comfortable or
affordable could have been emphasized. The sustainability Index also involves environmental
factors, which could have been emphasized better since its counterparts, such as social and
economic factors, were covered well.

Overall, the intention of the paper to present a sustainability index of shared mobility is visible.
The efforts made behind the research is evident. The report slightly lacks coherence and
structure in addressing how this research could be helpful for further analysis in the future.