A bus that doesn't come, or comes unpredictably, or doesn't go where people need to go, is not really public transport. For public transport to serve as the backbone of urban mobility, it must be frequent, reliable, and connected. This means adequate fleet sizes, rational route planning, dedicated bus lanes that prioritise public vehicles over private cars, real-time information systems, and integration across modes.

It also means attending to "last mile" connectivity for places where people actually live and work. Currently, Indian cities chronically underinvest in buses while pouring resources into metros and flyovers that mainly serve the relatively well-off residents. We advocate for a reorientation of transport planning towards the majority who walk, cycle, and take buses, and for the infrastructural commitments needed to make public transport a genuine alternative to private vehicles.