EMBARQ, the WRI Center for Sustainable Transport, today signed a partnership with the Urban Mass Transit Company (UMTC) to improve the transport systems in several of India’s booming cities, beginning in Pune. Expected results include cleaner air and shorter, less stressful commutes, in some of India’s largest cities.

In the last 10 years, India’s robust economic growth has propelled it onto the international scene. Unfortunately, transport-related problems including traffic congestion, air pollution, traffic accidents and greenhouse gas emissions threaten to slow growth and decrease quality of life in cities across India.

“UMTC is excited about the partnership with EMBARQ, which has proven its value in cities like Mexico City and Istanbul,” said OP Agarwal, the Managing Director and CEO of UMTC. “We look forward to this new partnership to improve both quality of life and the environment by addressing transport challenges.”

EMBARQ and UMTC will cooperate in providing technical advisory service to cities in the planning, implementation and improvement of operations of urban bus systems. Together they will develop project planning and management tools for large-scale transport projects, that can help reduce the cost, time and risk to cities and investors. They will develop local technical capacity so that cities can continue to develop and expand sustainable transport services.

“EMBARQ is really pleased to join forces with UMTC, which is in a uniquely favorable position to deliver sustainable urban transport projects in India,” said Nancy Kete, the Director of EMBARQ. “ Working with UMTC we hope to accelerate the improvement of India’s mass transit infrastructure and adoption of land-use policies that favor transit and pedestrian-friendly cities. With these policies and investments, we can improve the health and happiness of residents and preserve the environment.”