A green, clean Bangalore could resurface

A green, clean Bangalore could resurface

Bangaloreans will soon prefer to hop on to a bus for intracity travel. The efficient transport service to the airport has already changed people's attitude
Speaking to a friend in LA, who was taking the metro to watch the Nashville Predators hockey game, on a special 'Hockey Night Out package' promoted by the 200 metro bus lines, set me thinking of other cities and their evolving public transport system, particularly the bus service.
New York City's bus network is extensive with buses owned by Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), accounting for 80% of the city's surface mass transit. MetroCard-automated fare collection brought free transfers between subways and buses, multi-ride bonuses and weekly, monthly and daily transit passes, reducing the cost of public transportation for the first time. The mobility provided by the MTA helps ensure New York's place as a world centre of finance, commerce, culture and entertainment.
The image of the traditional red Routemaster or the double-decker bus plying the streets of London has become one of the famous icons of the city. London Transport has wisely introduced night buses which cover the late period when there is no underground service.
Recently, Scotland's Stagecoach buses introduced a carbon neutral bus network and set the standard for greener, smarter bus travel.
Zurich's public transportation system is renowned among experts throughout the world. One of the main reasons for Zurich's consistent top ranking as the city with the best living conditions in recent years, in the renowned Mercer study, is the quality of its transport system. People in Zurich use public transport consisting of two self-service systems (VBZ and ZVV) in huge numbers. In fact, 70% of visitors to the city center take the tram or bus and about 50% of the displacements within the municipality take place on public transport. Despite the fact that most travellers in Zurich own cars, they still use the public transport system that is recognised as efficient. Zurich airport has become a model hub for all public transportation systems – bus, train, domestic and international trains and even aircraft.
Closer home, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) took the city by storm when they launched the Volvo buses. Initial reactions to these hi-tech air-conditioned buses by visitors was reminiscent of what they see in their home country, replicating international standards. BMTC was a pioneer in the use of Volvo's B7RLE for city transport. But amidst this welcome change, one still reads about a Bangalore-based CEO cycling to work as the city remains congested with growing traffic.
In the recent study on Traffic and Transportation Policies and Strategies in Urban Areas in India conducted by Wilbur Smith Associates on behalf of Union Ministry of Urban Development, Bangalore figures among the top three cities in the country with respect to its sluggish traffic movement.
Nearly 39-40% of vehicles registered in Karnataka state belong to Bangalore; the vehicle growth rate is the highest in India (14%) as compared to the national average (10%). In August 2008, there were 75 lakh registered vehicles apart from the floating vehicles coming from other places. The number has gone up by 50% per annum in the last five years.
Such a massive number of vehicles plying results in violation of spaces, thus compounding chaos. This situation is particularly multiplied with the lack of an efficient transit system with Bangalore largely favouring commute using private vehicles.
In contrast, the commencement of an international airport in the city's outskirts has inadvertently facilitated the promotion of public transport. The Home Airport-Home Bus Connect service offered by BMTC is truly symbolic of luxury, comfort and economy rolled into one. To passengers alighting from the airport, the sight of clean and comfortable buses boosts their conviction of the many promises that the city holds. The government is investing in larger buses with automatic doors, limited stop buses for shorter route times and the introduction of Volvo buses on select routes thereby gradually changing the perception of public transport. This trend will definitely increase once Namma Metro is up and running.
The airport is witness to this transformation in attitude among the city dwellers, to opt for public modes of commute vis-à-vis the cushy private vehicles. Today, a passenger opting for the public transport services from the airport is 'wow'ed by the amenities positively changing the time-honoured experience of using public transport.
The city infrastructure is changing at a dizzying pace. The state road transport corporations are set to invest in crores with the induction of 4,300 new buses to their fleet, particularly BMTC, proposing to acquire more than 1,600 new buses. The airport's contribution as a catalyst amplifying use of public transport is redefining passenger commute choice. The day is not far when a commuter can hop into a bus to watch a match at the local stadium availing discounts on the tickets. The green, clean and noise-free Bangalore of yesteryear could resurface. The future looks promising.