Hop on for easy ride in CBD

Hop on for easy ride in CBD
Circular Bus Service HOHO To Encourage Public Transport
R Krishnakumar | TNN

Bangalore: In the core of the bustling city, short-distance travel comes at a price. It also comes with heated arguments with autorickshaw drivers and that exasperating hunt for parking space. The Agenda for Bangalore Infrastructure Development (ABIDe) task force has identified a potential way out — a circular bus service exclusively for the central business district (CBD).
The task force, in its transportation blueprint, has recommended a Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) service by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) around the CBD. The high-frequency, fixed fare (Rs 5) service has been proposed as a concerted move to increase use of public transport and, in turn, reduce the number of vehicles on the already choking roads in the core city areas. The proposal includes pedestrian crossings at all stations. It will be launched on Tuesday (see box).
The HOHO service is in clockwise and anti-clockwise directions, covering 33 stops. Globally, HOHO services are extensively used for loop trips taken by tourists who want to get a first taste of must-see must-do things. The transportation blueprint — prepared by Ashwin Mahesh of the Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore and TOI’s Lead India winner R K Misra — identifies HOHO service as supplementary to other transportation plans, including proposed bus priority lanes and small buses that could ply on narrow roads.
“The idea is to create circular routes in different areas where people can work and shop. We are proposing a service frequency of about 10 minutes. The HOHO service in the CBD is experimental and it can be replicated in other areas, like the Jayanagar-JP Nagar neighbourhoods,’’ Misra told TOI. The service is targeted at people who don’t want to leave their cars even when on short-distance trips.
STOP SEQUENCE
CLOCKWISE
The Oberoi, East Parade Church, Manipal Centre, Army school, BRV Junction, Anil Kumble Circle, Siddalingaiah Circle, Hudson Circle, Richmond flyover, Vellara Junction, D’Souza Circle, Trinity Church, Trinity Circle
ANTI-CLOCKWISE
Police Housing Corporation, HOSMAT, Garuda Mall, Mayo Hall, War Memorial, St Joseph’s Business College, Cash Pharmacy, Bangalore Club, Woodlands, Mallya Hospital, UB City, Jewels de Paragon, KSCA, Minsk Square, KSRP Ground, Parade Ground, Manipal Centre, Dickenson Road, Begum Mahal Circle, Taj Residency
CIRCLING CBD
HOHO service proposed for CBD Service to cover 33 stops Clockwise and anti-clockwise routes proposed Experimental route; potential in work-and-shop neighbourhoods Proposed frequency of 10 minutes Pedestrian crossings at all the stations
CM to launch six ABIDe plans today
It’s finally set for launch. Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa will inaugurate six of the many plans listed under the road, traffic management and transportation policy under ABIDe’s ‘Plan Bengaluru 2020’ on Tuesday. This includes the plan for the Big 10 arterial roads; making Outer Ring Road signal-free, enhanced public transport service that includes Hop On Hop Off (HOHO) circular service in the Central Business Districts (CBD), Namma Metro Phase II expansion, pedestrian-safe Bengaluru and repairs for roads. “The projects had been selected based on responses received under public domain,’’ ABIDe members said. The remaining projects are currently under public domain and expected to be implemented later.
Some guidelines
Corridor-based approach to issues
To provide improved transport
infrastructure facilities and experience
in a comprehensive, coordinated and
joint action over 6, 12, 18 or 24 months
Check on existing infrastructure
approach before proposing new
projects