Ford in December signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) to explore the possibility of developing “a common digital mobility solution for commuters” in the city. The agreement will see Ford analyze Hyderabad’s current transportation system and, with HMDA, use those findings to develop solutions for optimization.
“Hyderabad has a significant advantage due to its excellent infrastructure and connectivity,” said Municipal Administration and Urban Development Minister KT Rama Rao. “This MoU with Ford Motor Company would further it and make commuting within the city more convenient for all. We look forward to working with Ford on this mobility platform and on future opportunities.”
“As a mobility company, Ford is working with cities to help address growing transportation challenges,” said R. Mahadevan, director, Ford Smart Mobility, India. “Partnering with local development authorities like HMDA and offering technology solutions fine-tuned to the needs of the cities means we can help find new ways to make commuters’ journeys seamless.”
It’s estimated that 800 additional vehicles hit the streets in Hyderabad every day in spite of public transportation options including buses and metro. This creates issues with congestion that Ford and HMDA will seek to improve through tech-based mobility solutions. Solutions implemented through the MoU include but may not be limited to digital cashless one-time payments, mobile-based ticketing, and smart card payments for passengers who use multiple modes of transportation during their commutes.
Additional endeavors undertaken by Ford to improve mobility in Indian cities include collaborations with the cities of Indore and Mumbai. In the former, Ford is working with authorities to encourage more reliance on public transport and improve road safety; in the latter, Ford is aiding in the development of “an integrated mobility solution for multimodal transport.”
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