Why Nagpur’s Citizens Choose Cars on EMI Over New Public Transport

thenewsdirt
Oct 29
6 min read

Nagpur stands at a crossroads in urban mobility, with modern public transport options such as the Nagpur Metro and Aapli Buses vying for prominence even as private car ownership continues to surge.

Despite the sustained development of these systems, citizens across Vidarbha’s largest city increasingly prefer to purchase cars on EMI rather than embracing these newly available public transit solutions.

From 2023 onwards, the city has recorded a steep rise in vehicular registrations, corresponding to a persistent reluctance among many citizens to rely on public options. The reasons for this trend are rooted in detailed patterns of service quality, convenience, economics, and city infrastructure. A closer examination reveals the motivations behind Nagpur’s transportation choices.

Limitations in Nagpur’s Public Transport Experience

Public transport in Nagpur has expanded rapidly over the last decade, with the Metro becoming operational and new fleets of city buses being introduced.

Yet the daily experience for many remains fraught with difficulties.

There is a consistent shortfall in the number of buses for a population of more than 2.5 million. As of 2025, the Nagpur Municipal Corporation operates slightly over 460 Aapli Buses, a figure far below the 2,000 buses that city mobility experts estimate as necessary for meeting demand. This deficiency results in buses that are frequently overcrowded, especially during rush hours.

For regular commuters, this often means standing for long stretches in uncomfortable conditions with delays caused by breakdowns and infrequent scheduling. In February 2025 alone, nearly 300 buses experienced operational failures, leaving many routes disrupted for hours and amplifying commuter frustration.

Further, major bus stations like Mor Bhavan and Ganeshpeth report conditions of disrepair, lacking even basic amenities such as proper seating, shelter, and sanitation.

Travel disruptions have not been limited to ground transport. The Nagpur Metro, despite heralded beginnings, has seen its ridership stagnate at well under 100,000 daily, against original projections of more than double that figure.

Much of this has been attributed to limited last-mile connectivity and network reach: commuters in suburban or rapidly growing areas often find that they have to rely on feeder autos, private vehicles, or extended walks to access metro stations, reducing the system's convenience compared to private transport.

Technical glitches and delays in public transit, whether due to delayed charging infrastructure for new electric buses or disputes between transport suppliers, continue to leave portions of city fleets underutilised.

These constraints further reinforce perceptions that public transport in Nagpur remains unreliable, a risk many are reluctant to take for routine or urgent trips.

Economic Realities: Cost, Loans, and the Growing Appeal of EMI Vehicles

Financial calculations play a critical role in transportation decisions. Car manufacturers and dealers in Nagpur have streamlined the process of securing loans, with attractive EMI options enabling middle-class families to purchase vehicles with minimal immediate financial burden.

Down payments under 15 percent and lengthy repayment tenures have brought new sedans, hatchbacks, and compact SUVs within the grasp of a growing number of households.

Banks commonly approve car loans up to 90 percent of the vehicle’s value, with monthly repayments planned according to borrowers’ capacities.

For many working professionals and families, the cumulative cost of using public transport, factoring in not just fares but also time lost in waiting, unpredictability, and additional expenses on last-mile connectivity, can exceed the EMI for a modest car.

While a bus or metro fare per kilometre nominally undercuts the cost of fuel, journey specifics often shift the calculation. Longer waits, route interchange charges, and lost working or personal time elevate the “real” cost of public transport for many citizens of Nagpur.

Additionally, car ownership continues to symbolise both social mobility and personal convenience.

Within Vidarbha, and especially in Nagpur’s expanding residential districts, owning a car is seen as not just a functional asset but a marker of household status. EMI-powered purchases cater to these aspirations, allowing families to project upward mobility.

Notably, the majority of new vehicle registrations in Nagpur (well over two-thirds in the last recorded year) are two-wheelers, but four-wheeler registrations have also risen sharply.

The flexibility that EMI options provide is cited by many new owners as a key reason for their choice, with several interview excerpts highlighting that the ability to spread payments out and “own the keys” is more attractive than being dependent on perceived unreliable bus or metro systems.

Social Factors and Daily Realities: Comfort, Safety, and Trust

Interviews and commuter commentary frequently point to factors of comfort, safety, and perceived dignity in choosing private vehicles over public transport.

Overcrowded buses, a lack of timely services, and maintenance issues foster impressions of public transport as uncomfortable or unsafe.

Instances of elderly passengers or women expressing exhaustion and apprehension from daily bus commutes are widely reported. Many students and working professionals describe reduced productivity or heightened stress from unpredictable delays.

Nagpur’s road congestion and periodic traffic jams have failed to dissuade many from car purchases, instead, they are seen as providing more control over journey times even in heavy traffic conditions. In debates surrounding public transport, citizens often mention that, with a car, there is certainty in being able to leave at will, carry personal items or travel with family, and avoid exposure to harsh weather.

The risk of missing crucial appointments due to delayed or unavailable buses pushes even cost-sensitive residents toward EMI-financed cars.

For certain segments of the population, especially those living in outlying areas underserved by the Metro or city buses, private vehicles are seen as a necessity. Rising land values and residential development in these outer zones further increase the relevance and desirability of car ownership, considering the lack of convenient or direct public transport routes.

Nagpur’s public transport sector is hampered by both planning and operational limitations. The Comprehensive Mobility Plan, even as it aims to integrate metro, bus, and feeder services, faces execution delays and funding disputes. Proposals for expanding the bus fleet, upgrading depots, or rationalising routes frequently run up against administrative bottlenecks; some e-buses procured under sustainability schemes remain idle due to unresolved charging infrastructure issues.

Public transport in Nagpur lacks the seamlessness and ease of use found in larger cities such as Delhi, with fragmented ticketing systems, infrequent synchronisation between modes, and limited network coverage.

The Metro, in particular, has failed to address last-mile connectivity for a substantial section of daily commuters, many of whom rely on intermediate modes such as autorickshaws for the final leg of their journeys, further increasing cost and inconvenience.

Efforts to improve the situation are ongoing, but commuter patience is increasingly short. Social campaigns and citizen protests have called for urgent doubling of the bus fleet and immediate infrastructural repairs, reflecting widespread concern that current services cannot keep pace with urban growth.

However, until tangible improvements are realised, the market for private vehicles on EMI is unlikely to lose its appeal.

Public Sentiment and Direct Commentary

Several voices from within Nagpur paint a vivid picture of commuter sentiment. People expressing daily struggles using buses recount stories of multiple breakdowns, crowded conditions, and journeys extended by unexpected route disruptions. “There are days when waiting for a bus, I have lost nearly an hour before even starting my trip,” shares a resident from Mor Bhavan.

A college student describes switching to a second-hand car on EMI with family support after several consecutive weeks of missed classes due to bus cancellations.

A member of a civil society group summarises, “A reliable bus system is not just about mobility, it’s about equity and safety.” However, many feel that their immediate safety, sense of dignity, and daily convenience are better served by embracing EMI car purchases than waiting for public systems to meet expectations.

Nagpur’s ongoing mobility transformation offers both promise and difficulty. While the public transport network has expanded substantially, many of the barriers to adoption remain deeply rooted in everyday experience.

With cars becoming more accessible through EMI schemes and offering a semblance of control, status, and comfort, citizens show little hesitation in opting for individual solutions, even as traffic and environmental concerns mount.

The city’s experience reflects a broader Vidarbha reality that transport decisions are shaped as much by reliability, economics, and public trust as by system design or policy ambition.