The introduction of 110 Big Buses on Hosur Road in Bengaluru resulted in about 25,000 people shifting every day from cars and two-wheelers to public transport, found a study initiated by Embarq, a transport research organisation, three months ago.
Urban planners Vivek Menon and Ashwin Mahesh cited this study in a presentation made to a sub-committee on decongesting city, headed by Minister for Public Works H.C. Mahadevappa, to argue that ramping up public transport plays a key role in decongesting the city.
Mr. Mahesh, in fact, argued that the city needs to additional 6,000 buses, which will nearly double the number of public transport vehicles on the road. The presentation recommended priority movement for buses, with dedicated bus lane, signal priority and other measures. “Public transport cannot be an organisation run-for-profit and it is not done anywhere in the world,” said Mr. Mahesh.
The presentation also argued for “catalysing intermediate public transport” with initiatives such as introducing curb-side taxi service, incentive to radio-taxi fleet and so on. It recommended increased infrastructure to non-motorised transport like cycle lanes and pedestrian pathways. It argued for commuter rail service within the city to supplement metro rail network.
The urban experts have suggested that the government identify a network of 12 radial roads and Outer Ring Road (ORR) and NICE Road as a priority road network.
The experts came down heavily on Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor (BMIC) Limited for only providing seven on-ramps, while 11 were to be provided along the Nice Road. They pointed out that there were many such “missing links” in the city that when fixed could reduce traffic congestion. Lack of entry to the Kempegowda International Airport from east Bengaluru and no railway service in south Bengaluru were adding to traffic mess, they said.
