Transport betterment in our cities

METRO: Futuristic?

I guess every citizen of Chennai might have seen the metro rail construction happening around the city. So called futuristic technology (London got it ages ago) used in mode of transport. Looking normally, one would realize that its just the MRTS with a new, slim coach with a blue paint job. The same overhead power line that is used in the Railways in being incorporated in Chennai Metro. With the overhead stations of Metro coming up as well, the design being a semi circular cylinder like the MRTS stations, I believe a lot can be done to save/generate electricity.

The roofs of these stations are made of cement tiles. Looks wonderful with decorations actually. But what additional purpose would it serve apart from giving shelter to people from the sun and the rains? Where is the sight towards the future in it? So much surface area is being wasted without a second thought. What if the cement tiles were replaced with solar panels to generate electricity during the day to use it in the night. The MRTS and Metro Stations would be beacons of self sustaining government buildings in the country! "Just Imagine". 

There has been a lot of talk on integration of all the transportation systems in our city once the metro becomes operational. This would mean a single ticket is enough to go around the city in both suburban trains and metro. There have been reports stating that the MTC buses will also join the integrated transport system. But before that, I feel, MTC should bring in single ticket travel.

By single ticket travel, I mean to say giving ticket to a passenger, who has to change one or two buses to reach his/her destination depending upon the distance of the destination stop from the origin. You might say there is the Rs. 50 daily pass for this purpose but what if the rate is cheaper than Rs. 50 yet has to change buses? Also, for this there must be only one type of bus fare. Considering the fact that deluxe, express and normal buses ply on the same road, get caught in the same traffic, reach the destinations at almost the same time, have the same number of stops and face the same maintenance issues, it would be fair for the commuter and the transport corporation that all the buses are of the same type and the fare is kept on the basis of distances and, also, the tickets are dispensed at bus stops itself. This is indeed possible as the MTC employs people to make sure share autos do not stop at bus stops and ruin away with commuters waiting for buses. 

Above all, such an unified transport authority would ease travel through the city and in turn, reduce the traffic density on the ever choking roads.