Buses are the way to go

Buses are the way to go
TIMES NEWS NETWORK


As Bangalore gears up for its showpiece rail network — Namma Metro — to start chugging in 2010, there’s a sense of anticipation for a decluttered, yet bustling city. The spoiler, though, could be a perceived aversion towards public transportation systems.
When huge cars ferry one or two passengers, even as buses struggle for road space, the situation calls for a mass shift to public transport. The streamlining of the road rush will be the big idea to pursue as Bangalore enters a phase of altered traffic patterns. The question is: What more could be done to encourage public transport?
You can’t copy Bogota or Curitiba (Colombian and Brazilian cities cited as shining examples of successful public transport systems) in Bangalore because the local conditions are extremely different, reasons Upendra Tripathy, MD, BMTC. The BMTC, with its well-promoted Volvo services has managed to get many car users onto the bus. The future, though, will be in more aggressive promotion of these services and a greater focus on feeder networks like the monorail.
BMTC’s tie-up with IT majors and corporate groups on dedicated pick-up and drop services has set a template for future services on similar lines. With its proposed traffic and transit management centres (TTMCs), the BMTC is also set to integrate the concept of park and ride. Though there’s no denying that the ideas have been generated at a good rate, the implementation of the plans — sample the proposed multi-level parking lots — has not been as per the deadlines.
Faster implementation of traffic-related projects with the involvement of leaders in the industry will make the shift from fancy ideas to on-ground services.
Bus bays, improved traffic signals and dedicated bus corridors are all parts of the big plan that could take Bangalore to the next level in public transportation.
With the traffic police coming forward to join hands with the corporates on car-pooling initiatives, the scene looks all set for more innovations in public transport.
GOING PUBLIC
Wider reach of BMTC; more bus-stops, driver awareness programmes
Campaigns with detailed brochures on schedules, routes
Drives to ensure positive attitudinal change on public transport
More initiatives like Volvo services to get car-users to buses
Implementation of monorail, bus feeder systems
Incentives for car-pooling companies and groups