Reader Response 

(India's Smart City Plans Spawn Innovative Ultra Electric Bus Concept)

In the article, “India’s SMART City Plans Spawn Innovative Ultra Electric Bus Concept from TATA”, Stubbs (2016) shared that Tata Motor’s Ultra Electric Bus aims to align with India’s Smart City initiatives in India through revolutionising public transportation. Running fully on electric energy, and boasting of robust and progressive designs, the bus aims to be a symbol of India’s dynamic, modern, and interconnected cities. Stubbs (2016) also pointed out that on the go connectivity such as USB charging ports and Wi-Fi on board are enabled in order to establish interdependent relationships with commuters. Additionally, screen graphics and various other aesthetic details such as a protective technical exoskeleton serve to make the Ultra Electric Bus easily recognisable and provide commuters with a sense of reassurance and comfort.

Revolving around user-centric designs and technology, I trust that the concept of the Electric Bus will gain recognition by commuters as the bus concept improves the needs of travellers. As we all know, India is infamous for its traffic jams and poor road infrastructure. Many problems have arised due to the inefficiency of public transport, such as increased road congestions as passengers choose to turn to relatively cheaper motorcycles, reduced travel speed, and major safety issues.

Mahpatra (2016) mentioned that, “due to the increasing population pressure and lack of space to expand the city infrastructure, promoting public transport is the only option for many Indian cities”. Similarly, I believe that in order to entice commuters to use public transport regularly, it is essential to constantly seek to advance the transportation system in the country.

One of the key features of the Ultra Electric Bus is that it runs fully on electric energy. According to the World Health Organisation, in India, approximately 1.5 million people died from the effects of air pollution in 2012 (Chatterjee, 2016). This environmental health risk pose a real threat as prolonged exposure to high levels of air pollution can be fatal, especially to young children and the elderly (Chatterjee, 2016). By switching to non-polluting electric buses, the problem of air pollution can be greatly reduced and consequently, an increase in the health of the Indian population.

The existing public transport system in India has been overwhelmed by the unprecedented increase in demand, resulting in dangerously overcrowded buses and train carriages. Pucher, Korattyswaroopam, and Ittyerah (2004) cited inhuman travelling conditions with vehicles carrying more than twice their maximum design capacity. This poses as a safety risk for passengers on board. The Ultra Electric Bus features a revamped layout which addresses the flawed transportation layout in which more passengers to be on board the bus as compared to regular buses. Furthermore, the revamped layout also allows more storage space for commuters to travel with greater comfort. This would help reduce overcrowding in buses and provide a safer and more comfortable means of transportation for passengers.

Another important feature of the Ultra Electric Bus is that it is Wifi enabled on board and USB charging ports will be made available. As a rapidly developing country, ranked number 2 globally in Internet usage, this feature proves to be extremely relevant and of great importance (Taylor, 2016). Mohan (2016) pointed out that Internet penetration in India stood at only 22% and attributed this to poor infrastructure. I believe that the Ultra Electric Bus could be a game changer in this aspect. By providing Internet coverage and charging ports, more users can access the Internet on-the-go. This will aid in establishing a meaningful and interdependent relationship with commuters.

In conclusion, the vivid concept of the Ultra Electric Bus concurrently embodies pursuit of advanced technology, safety, and hospitality to commuters during their travels. I believe that these factors would add as a plus factor to encourage commuters to take the public transport despite the poor transportation system - a problem the government has yet to rectify.

References

Chatterjee, P. (2016). India takes steps to curb air pollution. Bulletin of the World Health

Organisation, 94, 487-488. http://dx.doi.org/10.2471/BLT.16.020716

Mahpatra, S. (2016, April, 25). Mumbai To Get Electric Buses Soon. Retrieved from:                                                     https://cleantechnica.com/2016/04/25/mumbai-get-electric-buses-soon/

Mohan, V. (2016, June 2). India Pips US in Number of Internet Users. Retrieved from:

http://www.huffingtonpost.in/2016/06/02/india-pips-us-in-number-of-internet-users/

Pucher, J., Korattyswaroopam, N., & Ittyerah, N. (2004). The Crisis of Public Transport

in India: Overwhelming Needs but Limited Resources. Journal of Public

Transport, 7(4), 71-113.

Stubbs, E. (2016, May 11). India’s SMART City Plans Spawn Innovative Ultra Electric

Bus Concept from TATA. Retrieved from:

http://www.core77.com/posts/52949/Indias-SMART-City-Plans-Spawn-Innovative-Ultra-Electric-Bus-Concept-from-TATA

Taylor, H. (2016, June 1). Mary Meeker: India now has more Internet users than US.

Retrieved from:

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/06/01/mary-meeker-india-now-has-more-internet-users-that-us.html

   

Tata Motor's Ultra Electric Bus Summary

Tata Motor's Ultra Electric Bus aims to revolutionise public transportation in India. The first of its kind, the Ultra Electric Bus, which will run fully on electric energy, boasts of robust and progressive designs, as aligned with India's Smart City initiatives.

Drawing parallels to the iconic New York cab and London's Routemasters bus, the Ultra Electric Bus aims to be symbol of India's dynamic, vibrant, modern and interconnected cities. In order to do so, user-centric features such as USB charging ports and Wi-Fi on board are enabled in order to establish meaningful and interdependent relationships with commuters.

More importantly however, alongside inspiration from iconography of mobile phones and laptops, the Ultra Electric Bus also incorporates elements of Indian architecture such as screen graphics to achieve its aim. Various other aesthetic details such as protective technical exoskeleton serve to make the Ultra Electric Bus easily recognisable and provide commuters with a sense of reassurance and comfort.

Revolving around user-centric designs and technology, I trust that the concept of the Electric Bus will gain recognition by commuters as the bus concept improves the needs of travellers.

Importance of English Language

Personally, the importance of English language can never be measured through text alone.  I was once told – since the beginning of time, the use of language as a form of communication between and/or among individuals has played a pivotal role in the evolution of human existence. Various settlements and civilizations created means of communications within themselves, and it is through these methods that emotions and messages can be expressed and delivered.

Having that said, the significance of English language is evident through globalization and internationalization as it is the main medium of instruction and governance in various nations across the globe till today.

As a student and future professional in Singapore, it is all the more essential for me to grasp the fine language as it is the preferred lingua franca across the nation – from schools to industries and even at home. I vividly remember the days where students like me were taught to infer from pictorial information and had to translate them into text, and that formed in me an important and practical skill in comprehending the language. It was then I learnt that English writing requires patience and continual practice.

There are various examples of English language writing that I would do in my university education, one of them being this exercise. I am convinced that this coursework which aims to improve communication effectively, the usage of English language would be essential for me to forge better relationships with my course mates. It is also a vital skill to effectively work as a team if the need arises.

As such, I strongly believe that an individual’s grasp of the English language is important as it is used to convey ideas and beliefs – regardless in a personal capacity or in a professional setting – especially so since I am pursuing a career in Engineering.

In the near future, I am certain that developing concrete writing skills will benefit me in my workplace through positive impressions and carrying my message with clarity and ease to any audience. It will also greatly increase the opportunities for a well-paid and interesting career – international and regional markets.