BMTC gears up to operate buses on Big 10 Roads and CBD

BMTC gears up to operate buses on Big 10 Roads and CBD

Anil Kumar Sastry

Specially designed 140 buses are being built for the purpose

Tumkur, Hosur, Bannerghatta, Kanakapur, Mysore, Bellary, Magadi, Sarjapur are among Big 10 Roads

14 buses to be deployed on each of the 10

roads connecting CBD

— Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Hi-tech: The specially designed bus for BMTC’s new service.

BANGALORE: As suggested by the Agenda for Bangalore Infrastructure Development (ABIDe), the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is gearing up to run “Big 10 Road Services” on trunk roads and “Kendra Saarige” in Central Business District (CBD).

One of the suggestions in ABIDe’s Plan 2020 to BMTC was to operate buses on high frequency on Big 10 Roads – Tumkur, Hosur, Bannerghatta, Kanakapura, Mysore, Bellary, Magadi, Sarjapur, Old Madras and HAL Airport – that wind out of the city. These roads generate high volume of passenger traffic and need to be given special attention, according to the recommendations.
Junction-free roads

BMTC’s plans come even when the Bruhat Bangalore Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) is yet to act on ABIDe’s another suggestion to make these roads junction-free and wide.

ABIDe had suggested to eliminate junctions on these arterial roads so as to allow smooth flow of traffic. It suggested that priority lanes, and not dedicated lanes, should be accorded to BMTC buses on these roads.

As per BMTC’s plans, at least 14 buses will be deployed on each of the 10 roads connecting the CBD (the area surrounding Mahatma Gandhi Road). Buses from Nelamangala, Bommanahalli/Electronics City, Bannerghatta, Jaraganahalli/Banashankari, Kengeri/Kengeri Satellite Town, Yelahanka, Sunkadakatte/Tavarekere, Sarjapur, Krishnarajapuram/ Hoskote and Whitefield/Marathalli will operate at a high frequency terminating near the Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation (KSPHC) office on Richmond Road.

Sources in BMTC said that work was on building 140 coaches for Big 10 Roads service while a few prototypes were ready.
Colour scheme

Sporting green colour, the outer structure of these buses would be similar to Suvarna coaches.

Since these buses would be fitted with large windowpanes (as per urban bus specifications issued by Ministry of Urban Development), sun screens would be provided to protect commuters.

These buses, sources said, might not sport route numbers, but only have destination names.
Fares

The fares for these services were being worked out even as they were likely to be on par with those of Pushpak services.

Working on ABIDE’s proposal to provide “Hop On Hop Off” (HOHO) circular services in the CBD covering a distance of 8 km, BMTC was planning to operate Volvo services. Flat fare, which was being worked out, would be levied on commuters taking HOHO services, the sources said.

This, sources said, would help people visiting the CBD for various works. The buses would run clock-wise as well as anti-clock-wise terminating near KSPHC office, thereby offering connectivity to Big 10 Road buses, the sources added.

Clock-wise services should be operated via The Oberoy, East Parade Church, Manipal Centre, Army School, BRV Junction, Anil Kumble Circle, Siddaiah Circle, Hudson Circle, Richmond Flyover, Vellara Junction, D’Souza Circle, Trinity Church and Trinity Circle, ABIDe had said. Anti-clock-wise services should run via KSPHC, Hosmat Hospital, Garuda Mall, Mayo Hall, War Memorial, St. Joseph Business College, Cash Pharmacy, Bangalore Club, Woodlands, Mallya Hospital, U.B. City, Jewels D Paragan, KSCA, Minsq Square, KSRP Ground, Parade Ground, Manipal Centre, Dickenson Road, Begum Mahal Circle and Taj Residency, it had suggested.