Contents Abbreviations x Executive summary xi Chapter i : introduction 1 1.1 background 1 1.2 rationale 2 1.3 background literature on light rail or modern tram 2 1.3.1 evolution of light rail / modern tram 2 1.3.2 what is light rail or modern tram? 5 1.3.3 technical details of light rail 7 1.3.4 benefits of light rail 8 1.4 research question 9 1.5 research objectives 9 1.6 methodology 9 1.7 scope 10 1.8 limitation 10 Chapter ii : decline of trams in india 11 2.1 kolkata trams 11 2.1.1 evolution 11 2.1.2 conclusion 14 2.2 bombay trams 15 2.2.1 evolution 15 2.2.2 conclusion 17 Chapter iii : success parameters of light rail transit 18 3.1 literature review 18 3.2 conclusion 19 Chapter iv : enabling factors – international case studies 22 4.1 international case studies 22 4.2 establishing relation with success parameters 26 4.2.1 ridership: share of light rail daily passengers in total daily passengers 27 4.2.2 ridership: share of light rail daily passengers in pt daily passengers 29 4.2.3 ridership: boardings per station 31 4.2.4 ridership: light rail daily passengers per network length 34 4.2.5 coverage: light rail network length per urban population 35 4.2.6 coverage: share of station catchment area in city area 36 4.3 conclusion 38 Chapter v : potential indian cities 39 5.1 success in india 39 5.2 conclusion 41 References 42