Ford and Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to assess the feasibility of a common digital mobility solution for commuters in the city of Hyderabad. 

Under the agreement, Ford will collaborate and work with the city authorities to analyze Hyderabad’s existing transportation system. Ford will then work with HDMA to design tech-based mobility solutions to improve the commuter experience, and that will optimise efficiency for transport operators, as well as reduce congestion.

Speaking after the MoU signing ceremony, MA&UD Minister KT Rama Rao said, “Hyderabad has a significant advantage due to its excellent infrastructure and connectivity. This MoU with Ford Motor Company would further it and make commute within the city more convenient for all. We look forward to working with Ford on this mobility platform and future opportunities.”

“As a mobility company, Ford is working with cities to help address growing transportation challenges,” said R. Mahadevan, director, Ford Smart Mobility, India. “Partnering with local development authorities like HMDA and offering technology solutions fine-tuned to the needs of the cities means we can help find new ways to make commuters’ journeys seamless.”

While different modes of public transport such as light rail, metro and buses co-exist in Hyderabad, 800 vehicles are added to the city’s streets each day. Hyderabad’s smart and safe city project compliments Ford’s vision to provide innovative solutions to common mobility issues. 

Collaborating with HMDA, Ford will engage with the relevant stakeholders and explore solutions in areas such as digital cashless one-time payments, mobile-based ticketing and smart card payments for passengers transiting through different modes of transport. Technology aided solutions can enable commuters to spend less time when switching between various modes of transport, improve predictability and thereby reduce gridlocks.

The study will also analyse how multiple modes of transport are used by Hyderabad residents every day, in an effort to identify areas of improvement.

Today, half the world’s population lives in cities. By 2030, that number is expected to grow to 60 percent. As city populations grow, the challenges tied to moving people and goods become tougher. 

Ford says it is committed to helping improve the transport situation in Indian cities. Earlier this year, the automaker started working with the cities of Indore and Mumbai to find innovative mobility solutions. While in Mumbai, Ford is helping design an integrated mobility solution for multimodal transport, and in Indore Ford is working to support the city authorities in encouraging use of the public transit system and improving general road safety.