Final Reader Response

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 through revolutionising public transportation. Running fully on electric energy, and boasting of robust and progressive designs, the bus aims to be an emblem of India’s dynamic, modern, and interconnected cities. Stubbs (2016) also commented that on-the-go connectivity such as USB charging ports and Wi-Fi on board are enabled to establish meaningful relationships with commuters. Additionally, screen graphics symbolic of Indian architecture and various other aesthetic details aims 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 am of the opinion that commuters will laud the concept of the electric bus as it improves their needs. 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 well as health issues as a consequence of air pollution. In an article by Mahpatra (2016), a solar enthusiast from India, it was 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 in terms of design and technology.

One of the key technological features of the Ultra Electric Bus is that it runs fully on electric energy. By switching to non-polluting electric buses, the problem of air pollution and environmental health risks can be greatly reduced. Chatterjee (2016) mentioned that in accordance to the World Health Organisation, in India, approximately 1.5 million people died from the consequences of air pollution in 2012. This environmentally friendly mode of transportation also helps India in its mission to develop its cities to be citizen friendly and sustainable, as part of the SMART City initiatives (Ministry of Urban Development, 2015).

Another important feature of the Ultra Electric Bus is the availability of WiFi and USB charging ports. As a rapidly developing country, ranked number 2 globally in Internet usage, this feature proves to be extremely relevant and important (Taylor, 2016). Interestingly, however, Mohan (2016) pointed out that due to poor mobile connectivity infrastructure, Internet penetration in India stood at only 22%, leaving much room for improvement. 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 aid in establishing a meaningful relationship with commuters.

Lastly, another distinguishing feature of the electric bus lies in its improved interior and exterior design. A striking graphic distinctiveness is featured, boasting with high-impact highlights and bold graphics. However, in the pursuit of modernisation and improving connectivity, it is crucial to retain and preserve the rich Indian culture. This is done through utilising patterns, symbolic of Indian architecture. Just as how the yellow and black cabs are iconic in New York, I believe that with time, the electric bus can be an emblem of India’s thriving public transportation system.

In conclusion, the vivid concept of the Ultra Electric Bus concurrently embodies pursuit of advanced technology. I believe that these factors play a pivotal role through encouraging commuters to take the public transport, whilst helping India align itself with its SMART city initiatives and alleviating India’s transportation woes.

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/

Ministry of Urban Development. (2015, June). Smart Cities - Mission Statement & Guidelines.

Retrieved from: http://smartcities.gov.in/writereaddata/SmartCityGuidelines.pdf

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

Summarized Article’s Main Idea + Thesis Statement: (Level I Controlling Idea)

I.                    First Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

Tata Motor’s Ultra Electric Bus aims to align with India’s Smart City initiatives through revolutionising public transportation. Running fully on electric energy, and boasting of robust and progressive designs, the bus aims to be an emblem of India’s dynamic, modern, and interconnected cities

II.                  Second Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

On the go connectivity such as USB charging ports and Wi-Fi on board are enabled in order to establish meaningful relationships with commuters

III.        Third Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

Screen graphics symbolic of Indian architecture and various other aesthetic details such as a protective technical exoskeleton aims to make the Ultra Electric Bus easily recognisable and provide commuters with a sense of reassurance and comfort.

+ Your Main Idea/Thesis Statement: (Level I Controlling Idea) Revolving around user-centric designs and technology, I am of the opinion that commuters will laud the concept of the electric bus as it improves their needs.

III.                First Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

Running fully on electric energy, and boasting of robust and progressive designs, the bus aims to be an emblem of India’s dynamic, modern, and interconnected cities

a.      Explanation of the supporting idea

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 turn to cheaper motorcycles, as well as health issues as a consequence of air pollution.

b.      Example or citation which supports your assertion

In an article by Mahpatra (2016), a solar enthusiast from India, it was 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”.

c.       Other statements which help support your assertion

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 in terms of design and technology.

First Supporting Idea – (Part b) (Level II Controlling Idea)

One of the key technological features of the Ultra Electric Bus is that it runs fully on electric energy.

a.      Explanation of the supporting idea

By switching to non-polluting electric buses, the problem of air pollution and environmental health risks can be greatly reduced.

b.      Example or citation which supports your assertion

Chatterjee (2016) mentioned that in accordance to the World Health Organisation, in India, approximately 1.5 million people died from the consequences of air pollution in 2012. By switching to non-polluting electric buses, the problem of air pollution and environmental health risks can be greatly reduced.

c.       Other statements which help support your assertion

This environmentally friendly mode of transportation also helps India in its mission to develop its cities to be citizen friendly and sustainable, as part of the SMART City initiatives (Ministry of Urban Development, 2015).

IV.               Second Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

Another important feature of the Ultra Electric Bus is the availability of WiFi and USB charging ports

a.      Explanation of the supporting idea

As a rapidly developing country, ranked number 2 globally in Internet usage, this feature proves to be extremely relevant and important (Taylor, 2016),

b.      Example or citation which supports your assertion

Mohan (2016) pointed out that due to poor mobile connectivity infrastructure, Internet penetration in India stood at only 22%, leaving much room for improvement.

c.       Other statements which help support your assertion

By providing Internet coverage and charging ports, more users can access the Internet on-the-go. This will aid in establishing a meaningful relationship with commuters.

V.                 Third Supporting Idea - (Level II Controlling Idea)

Another distinguishing feature of the electric bus lies in its improved interior and exterior design. Just as how the yellow and black cabs are iconic in New York, I believe that with time, the electric bus can be an emblem of India’s thriving public transportation system.

a.      Explanation of the supporting idea

A striking graphic identity is featured, boasting with high-impact highlights and bold graphics. However, in the pursuit of modernisation and improving connectivity, it is crucial to retain and preserve the rich Indian culture. This is done through utilising patterns, symbolic of Indian architecture.

b.      Example or citation which supports your assertion

The yellow and black cabs are iconic in New York.

c.       Other statements which help support your assertion

The concept of electric bus can be an emblem of India’s thriving public transportation system

VI.               Conclusion – Review of Main Idea (Tying Yours and That of the Summarized Article’s)

In conclusion, the vivid concept of the Ultra Electric Bus concurrently embodies pursuit of advanced technology and safety to passengers during their travels. I believe that these factors play a pivotal role through encouraging commuters to take the public transport, whilst helping India align itself with its SMART city initiatives and alleviating India’s transportation woes.