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6 Things BBMP commissioner should do to make dedicated bus lane a success


Bengaluru has the second-slowest commute speed in the country, with an average speed of 18.7 kmph during commute times, as per a national survey. Considering 45 mins commute time each way to work x 25 working days x 12 months this means we spend almost 1 month every year in traffic.
The solution does not lie in road widening and building elevated flyovers, but in encouraging and incentivising public transport.
Thanks to commissioner of BBMP for the initiative and chairman of BMTC to support the initiative we now have a dedicated bus lane between Central Silk board junction and Tin factory. It is clear that people and environmentally friendly initiatives can be implemented if government agencies work in tandem. This is a must required first step in boosting the public transport system and all concerned authorities and road users must whole heartedly support this initiative to make it a success.

Care should be taken to ensure such initiatives really work and become a role model and not a failed model. Occupying space of an entire lane of already clogged roads of Bengaluru as dedicated bus lane can be justified, when not just the current bus users are benefited by the speed of travel but the other private vehicle users also see convenience in switching over to the bus. This means in addition to providing the dedicated bus lane we also need to do following on a war footing.


6 Things BBMP commissioner should do to make dedicated bus lane a success:


  1. Provide transit hubs at major interchanges and entry and exits on these dedicated lanes, so people can switch over from other modes of transport with convenience and ease.
  2.  Apart from BMTC buses the dedicated lane should also permit buses and mini buses of IT and other private companies as they are also meeting the same purpose of the proposed initiative.
  3. Last mile connectivity is a major hindrance and hurdle in the success of any public transport system. Following steps are recommended:
    1. Make provision for pre-paid auto stands at bus stops with fixed charges for local area commute. Promote e-rikshaws and buggy cars for local commute. Provide subsidies if necessary.
    2. BMTC should run mini buses on contract or hire basis dedicated to connect residential areas to nearby bus stops and metro stations.
  4. Safety is another concern that forces people to use private transport specially with women commuters. while it is safe till you are in the bus or metro but you become vulnerable the moment you get off and start walking.
    1. BBMP should ensure proper street lighting at all localities and address dark spots immediately.
    2. Bangalore city Police should help with sufficient deployment of beat vehicles and constables during evening commute hours in residential areas.
    3. CCTV installations and monitoring gives sense of safety and is a deterrence mechanism and should be installed at residential locations.
  5. Design the system for the commuter and not just for the bus. Every commuter has to walk a short distance from bus or metro station to their destination whether it is 200 meters or 2 km. This last walk should be the primary consideration in any public mobility design. Today footpaths on Bengaluru roads have reduced to covering slabs on the drains, that also are not clean, safe or in good condition for walk. TenderSURE roads are best examples of how roads can be both vehicle and pedestrian friendly. We have the know how, we just have to implement it.
    1. To begin with re-lay the roads connecting the dedicated bus lanes to residential areas to make that walk an enjoyable experience.
    2. Clean-up garbage dumps, construction debris and black spots along the road.
    3. Clear business encroachments and hawkers on pedestrian paths.
  6. Technology, transparency and integration are your friends do not shy away from them. Whatever public initiatives we take up should be transparent and adopt technology as an enabler. Open sourced applications can work wonders.
    1. Adopt GPS systems on the dedicated lane buses and feeder buses and let that be an openly accessible information. It will enable 3rd party application developers to develop commuter friendly apps, integrate it with other commuter apps etc.
    2. BMRCL and BMTC should work on integrating technologies to develop a common commuter card. Probably allow 3rd party cards and other payment application to participate and develop innovative and convenient payment methods.
    3. BBMP and RTO should facilitate to engage the same card for payment of autos, cabs and shared rides
These measures if implemented, will ensure commuters see a tangible  advantage in using public transport and this is the only way to make the public transport system successful and alleviate traffic congestion. 

About the Author

Basavaraj Mudigoudar is an entrepreneur and engineer by profession. Volunteers as head of Policy and Research at Aam Aadmi Party, Karnataka
Twitter: @Basavarajsm_
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