HYDERABAD: Even as the state govt pushes for rapid expansion of the Hyderabad Metro and the Centre invests heavily in the redevelopment of Secunderabad railway station, poor last-mile connectivity continues to test the patience of daily commuters across the city.
The lack of effective integration between Hyderabad's three key public transport systems — RTC buses, MMTS suburban rail and the Metro — has severely undermined the city's ability to offer a seamless public transport experience. As a result, to complete short but crucial portions of their daily journey, lakhs of commuters are increasingly dependent on app-based cabs, auto-rickshaws and bike taxis. The problem with depending on app-based cabs, autos and bike taxis is that they are erratic, unpredictable and often overpriced, say commuters.
Multiple studies have flagged last-mile connectivity as one of Hyderabad's biggest mobility bottlenecks. They point out that even when primary transit systems such as Metro or MMTS are efficient, the absence of reliable last-mile options discourages commuters from shifting to public transport.
In contrast, cities like Delhi have taken proactive steps to address last-mile challenges. Around 150 metro stations across Delhi and the NCR are supported by nearly 1,500 electric autos, along with feeder buses and shared mobility services. Similar initiatives are visible in Mumbai and Pune, where state govts have encouraged private feeder buses and e-autos to complement mass transit systems.
Daily struggle for commuters
For daily office-goers, the last mile has become a routine struggle. Long walks, unreliable shared autos and expensive app-based cab rides remain the only options for short distances. The lack of feeder buses from Metro stations, MMTS stations and major transit hubs has turned the final leg of the commute into an ordeal, particularly during peak hours and late evenings.
Passengers alighting at Begumpet railway station, for instance, are forced to rely on autos or cabs to reach their destinations. Those opting for buses must walk nearly two km with luggage to reach the nearest bus stop. A similar situation prevails at Hi-TEC City railway station, where a large number of IT professionals either walk long distances or depend on autos, cabs or bike taxis to reach their workplaces.
"I stay in Banjara Hills Road No. 7 and work in Secunderabad. If I use public transport, I must walk for almost two km just to reach a bus stop. Begumpet is the closest Metro station for me, and getting there itself is hectic. Because of this lack of last-mile connectivity, I prefer using my personal vehicle," said Satyanand Rao, an employee of a private bank.
"Every day I get down at Madhapur station, but my office is hardly three km away. There are no feeder buses, and shared autos refuse short trips during peak hours. I end up paying Rs 100–120 on app-based rides just for the last mile," said K Vani, an IT professional from Ameerpet.
Safety and congestion risksExperts in sustainable mobility point out that the problem stems from inadequate integration within mass transit systems. Despite repeated calls for dedicated feeder services, implementation has been slow. They warn that ignoring last-mile connectivity could undermine the heavy investments made in metro rail networks.
"In Hyderabad, congestion is building up exactly where roads are already unsafe — around metro stations and bus stops. Last-mile access should be treated as a safety solution rather than merely a convenience," said
Nina Subramani, senior researcher (road safety & sustainable mobility) at the Citizen Consumer and Civic Action Group (CAG).
Simple measures such as slower speeds near transit hubs, continuous shaded footpaths, safe crossings, organised feeder services and clearly marked pick-up and drop-off zones can significantly reduce chaos and conflict, she said while adding that these are low-cost interventions but can make a big difference.
RTC plans 100 busesOn the other hand, the Telangana State Road Transport Corporation (TGSRTC) has maintained that mini-buses are not viable for city operations. "However, to address last-mile connectivity issues, the corporation is planning to introduce nine-metre buses, smaller than the existing 12-metre fleet. Most of these buses will be deployed around the IT corridor by the end of this year to improve last-mile connectivity," said Y Nagi Reddy, MD TGSRTC.
Railways, GHMC coordinationMeanwhile, South Central Railway (SCR) is working with GHMC and TGSRTC to provide RTC bus services for inward and outward train passengers at key stations such as Secunderabad, Lingampally and Cherlapally, particularly during peak morning and night hours.
"We have requested TGSRTC to operate dedicated last-mile services from areas such as ECIL X Roads, Miyapur, Medchal and LB Nagar to connect passengers with Vande Bharat and other intercity trains at Secunderabad, Kacheguda, Lingampally and Cherlapally stations," said a senior SCR official.
Officials also said a skywalk is being constructed at Secunderabad station to connect both Secunderabad east and west metro stations. Additionally, a proposal is under consideration to connect Begumpet railway station directly with the adjacent metro station through a skywalk to facilitate seamless passenger movement.
Carpooling yet to take offDespite being one of the fastest-growing cities in the country, Hyderabad is yet to embrace carpooling as a transport option. While states such as Delhi and Maharashtra are moving towards formalising and promoting carpooling, Hyderabad remains heavily dependent on personal vehicles and app-based aggregators.
The city, which has over 10 lakh IT and ITeS employees, has seen a sharp rise in private vehicle usage. Between 2017 and 2025, the number of registered cars increased by nearly eight lakh. Currently, Hyderabad has around 18 lakh registered cars, a figure that crosses 20 lakh when vehicles from outside Telangana are included. Most of these cars carry just one or two occupants, adding to congestion.
"No one is following the carpooling concept in Hyderabad. While it is popular in cities like Bengaluru and Noida, it is yet to be accepted here. The government needs to make a serious effort to promote it," said Vinod Kanumala of the Indian Federation of Road Safety.
Need for policy pushUrban mobility experts argue that Hyderabad's congestion problem cannot be addressed unless common carrier modes such as public transport and carpooling are treated as core transport strategies rather than optional choices.
"For carpooling to succeed, the city needs employer-led programmes in major office clusters, policy-backed incentives for high-occupancy vehicles, and safe, clearly marked pick-up and drop-off zones around Metro stations and workplaces. There is also a need for an effective policy and digital framework that integrates carpooling with speed management, safer street design and better road space allocation to reduce crash risks while improving traffic flow," Bhargab Maitra, professor (civil engineering), IIT Kharagpur and member of Road Safety Network.