BMTC plans to bust jams, draw more commuters

BMTC plans to bust jams, draw more commuters
New Indian Express

BANGALORE: As the city witnesses a huge growth in commuter population, the government has worked out a transport strategy to be taken up under the ambitious Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM).

The strategy to be implemented during next five years, includes augmentation of bus fleet with high tech coaches, grid routes and induction of Metro Bus System. These innovative projects are part of the City Development Strategy Plan submitted by the government to the Centre.

Under the scheme, dedicated bus lanes with park-and-ride facility and state-of-the-art passenger information system along with Rs 2 lakh insurance to monthly pass holders would be provided.

Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) would buy high quality, high capacity buses at a cost Rs 50 lakh each with low floor and wide doors. The buses would be procured under public-private partnership model.

Dedicated bus lanes for metro bus system would be provided using kerbstone dividers and BMTC route survey has revealed that 15 per cent of road space is available on 27 trunk routes for the purpose. Buses will ply in mixed traffic on routes where space is not adequate.

BMTC would provide park-and-ride facility to encourage two-wheeler commuters to take to buses. All bus stands would have two-wheeler parking facility and motorists can park the bikes and take a bus.

To popularise monthly passes, insurance for Rs 2 lakh would be provided to users. Passenger information system in 500 bus stands would be made available on display modules, which display present location of buses and their estimated time of arrival.

Pilot project on Metro bus system would first be implemented between Konanakunte and Hebbal connecting the busiest locations. The pilot project would ply 5,000 passengers an hour per direction with 5- minute headway.*