Hiccups at Jayanagar TTMC

Hiccups at Jayanagar TTMC

On Tuesday, Jayanagar TTMC started operating on full-time basis. DNA reporter Shwetha S visited the swanky bus station to witness how the services operate and study the practical problems faced by passengers and traffic officials

Shwetha S



Despite starting trouble, BMTC's swanky new bus station in Jayanagar had a smooth run on Tuesday. Although the city's first traffic and transit management centre (TTMC) was thrown open to public on Monday, bus services started operating in full swing only on Tuesday.
Passengers were pleasantly surprised by the rows of chairs and benches where they relaxed and chatted as buses rolled in and out. But there was confusion at the entry and exit points as passengers, instead of using the designated path way, began walking into the facility using the bus path blocking vehicles.
"The entry and exit points were congested and the buses inside the centre were unable to keep moving. Every two seconds, buses keep coming, and it is risky for pedestrians, especially schoolchildren, to walk in through the bus path," traffic controller Usha Rajashekhar said.
Many passengers were confused about finding the route numbers and relevant platforms as the electronic boards were yet to be installed. But about 21 traffic controllers quickly came to their assistance and guided them to the respective platforms.
"Every five minutes, not less than two or three passengers approached us for guidance. Since the buses have to keep moving every two seconds, we put pressure on the drivers and passengers," traffic inspector R Shivakumar said.
Apart from seats for relaxation, drinking water facilities were provided for passengers. There were also dustbins to throw waste.
"The chairs are good. After a tiring day, we need to take some rest. Providing drinking water was another good idea. So in every way, we have a pukka modern bus stand here. But the display boards showing bus timings and route numbers are yet to be installed," Muralidhar Krishna, a commuter, said.
"Bus frequency has tripled. The facilities for passengers are great. But the authorities have not set up counters for issuing bus passes for students. This has to be done fast," said Manjunath Swamy, a student of BES College. Traffic officials want passengers to wait for more facilities.
"We're aware of the congestion at the entry and exit points. Hence we have deployed special traffic controllers to instruct the drivers and pedestrians. A pillar raised for a sky walk is also creating bottleneck near the entry point. We're planning to widen the entrance," Nayana R, assistant traffic manager, said.
"Electronic boards showing routes and timings will be installed soon. Help centres are also planned near the entrance. A closed glass shelter will be set up exclusively for airport-bound passengers. Counters for issuing passes will also be set up," she said.
"On a daily basis, about 2,300 buses will keep moving from this station. It is also the starting point of 22 buses. As we cannot accommodate all the 22 buses in the station, we are stationing them near the depot next to the station," she said.
The traffic and transit management centre at Jayanagar is constructed at a cost of Rs12.90 crore. It is spread across 3,700sq mtrs and has a total built-up area of 11,103 sq mtrs.
Works are under way for construction of nine more such facilities in Banashankari, Vijayanagara, Koramangala, Shanthinagar, ITPL (Whitefield), Bannerghatta, Kengeri, Yeshwantpur and Domlur. They will be completed by late 2010.
The total cost of construction of these centres is Rs333 crore and Rs166 crore has been released under the JNNURM scheme for the project.