Metro to tax private vehicles, restrict buses, autos

Metro to tax private vehicles, restrict buses, autos
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: The Metro Rail may substantially ease the traffic on some roads, but it has a flip side too. To achieve projected ridership, the Bangalore Mass Rapid Transit Limited (BMRTL), the nodal agency for implementing the project has proposed a number of measures, including imposing entry tax on private vehicles and restricting three-wheelers on certain roads.

In its reply to clarifications sought by Project Investment Board (PIB), the State Government stated that it proposes to take a number of measures (see box) to achieve ridership, which is projected based on traffic survey and using computer models.

Though the measures are aimed to discourage private vehicles, people may not like to be forced to use only Metro.

‘‘Imposing entry tax on private vehicles, substantially enhancing parking fee and prohibiting autorickshaws on certain roads will create more chaos on roads. People want more options and will certainly oppose these measures,’’ sources told this paper.

‘‘Such measures have been taken only in Singapore and not even in Delhi. They will not work here as the city is not planned in such a way,’’ a senior Government officer said.

While collection of entry tax on some roads will require putting up toll gates in the city, enhanced parking fee will come as a big blow to motorists, who recently got some respite from the Bangalore City Corporation (BCC) move to scrap fee collection.

The BMRTL, however, has told the PIB that Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) Board is examining measures to achieve ridership. ‘‘Various reasons have been advanced for lower ridership on Delhi Metro than projected, including deficiencies in feeder bus services, higher fares, lack of point-to-point connectivity.’’

The Metro rail with two corridors; North-South will connect Peenya with JP Nagar and East-West will link Magadi Road with Byappanhalli. The much-needed Metro is expected to reduce pollution and accidents.