Experiment with bus lanes on Bellary Road

So, why is this bus in a non-bus lane? To let the photographer shoot the sign?

Experiment with bus lanes on Bellary Road
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The traffic police will introduce dedicated bus lanes on an experimental basis on the busy Bellary Road by the end of this week.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Chandrashekhara told this paper that on the the stretch between the Bangalore Development Authority (BDA) office and Hebbal flyover, dedicated bus lanes will be created on both sides.

These ‘Buses Only’ lanes measuring 11 feet each are being demarcated with PVC markers.

‘‘Dedicated bus lanes are being created at the insistence of the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). However, they will remain open for all buses including private ones. Other vehicles will not be allowed in this part of the road. This rule will be enforced strictly on a trial basis. The efficacy of the system will be studied and a decision to implement it on other roads will be taken later,’’ Chandrashekhara added.

There is a dual purpose behind the introduction of these lanes. It streamlines and ensures faster movement of buses thereby benefiting commuters. Buses no longer block the movement of other traffic and hence motorists are benefitted.

BMTC has been demanding dedicated lanes for its buses for the last couple of years. This is the principle on which BMTC’s proposed Metro Bus system is based — the buses are given exclusive road space. As buses in such lanes move faster, they get priority at junctions.

BMTC is asking for 15 per cent of the available road space. The Corporation claims that such a demand is valid as 50 per cent of Bangalore commutes by bus.

BMTC has conducted surveys of 27 trunk corridors so far where space is available for such dedicated lanes.