Three signals on signal-free road

Three signals on signal-free road


Even as the mantra was signal-free ride/drive to BIAL and the concept is being tried by the BBMP through construction of underpasses, the entire concept seems to be defeated by the police.
After the Hebbal flyover, the drive is a crawl for about 15 minutes, thanks to the three traffic signals that have come up within a short distance from each other. The Kodigehalli signal blocks traffic, that winds down for about 500 metres.
Soon, the signal at Byatarayanapura — before the University of Agricultural Sciences (UAS) — triggers another long halt. With villages on either sides of Bellary Road and many new residential housing projects coming up in these areas, a signalfree drive looks a long shot for now. There’s no respite at the signals near the Delhi Public School and Yelahanka (where traffic from areas like Kogilu converge) either.
PASSENGERS’ TAKE
The passengers feel that the Volvo service is a “big relief ’’ but want more buses on the nine dedicated routes. “At least, they can publish the schedules with the starting time, instead of vaguely saying once in every hour,’’ says Seema Mohan, a passenger.
The schedules are displayed at the last stop, in front of the BIA terminal. There’s also some confusion with regard to the dedicated stops on the routes. “Since they also talk about landmarks on the route, some of the passengers think that they can board the bus from these points as well,’’ says Navin, who’s at the airport to see a friend off. On Wednesday’s drive, 18 of the 19 passengers boarded the bus at the starting point. The biggest plus that the BMTC services bring along, according to some of the passengers, is that they’ve seen the back of cab drivers who charge a fortune to cover a much shorter haul.