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Namma Rasthe .. New Project for BRTS

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Bus

Hi Praja Admin,

Shall we have a new Project by name Namma Rasthe.. or whatever, we can have a poll for that infact for discussion on BRTS.

Namma Rasthe as said by buses, cycles and pedestrains procuring space from cars and other private vehicles. 

We can discuss on this Project similar to Namma Railu. How to improve the road space by improving the kerbside of the roads, which BRT method would be good for a specific road such as Mini BRT, normal BRT, types of buses to be used : Articulated / Normal buses, push for CNG or normal Diesel or Ethanol.

How to access the Bus Station, Zebra Crossing / Underpass? Corridors that can be considered.

PS: Please don't have comments like we cannot have BRT in Bangalore, in Delhi it is utter failure, road width not sufficient in Bangalore etc. We have to start somewhere and all the cities had similar challenges.

Websites like sutp.org, embarq.org, thecityfix.com has got lots of info on BRT standards. What best practices can be adopted to Bangalore, multiple people sharing information would give us a good start.

 

Comments

Vasanth's picture

Vadodara BRTS .. A Study and Proposals

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A short presentation on Vadodara BRTS .. How are they planning on Narrow Lanes etc..

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1552584

 

silkboard's picture

Revive the "BPS" project?

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Vasanth, some of us had done bit of work and a report on BPS. May be we can start by reviving that. It would be a tough project though, like Namma Railu as there are too many parties involved (Roads owned by X, Buses run by Y, Traffic managed by Z).

Vasanth's picture

Thanks SB - We shall revive the BPS Project

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Thanks SB for your support. We will revive the BPS Project. Already we have got lot of material there. 

We also need to channelize CEPT Ahmedabad with Bangalore planners. Probably if our chief minister and other authorities if the tour Ahmedabad once, they might get intrest in it.

 

silkboard's picture

on Cycle Day right now, but you should get started ...

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Vasanth, busy with Cycle Day campaign right now. So will not have much time on this right now. But if you want to get started by meeting BMTC, please do. Send them and also DULT a mail asking for current status on BRTS in Bangalore. If no reply, then an RTI to them as well as BDA. Basically, let us get the current official status on BRTS from them and then plan what to do on this.

Vasanth's picture

Sent an email to DULT

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Dear Sir / Madam,
 
Offlate many cities across the world and even in India are switching to BRTS due to increased traffic in cities and slow movement of  people. There were some teething issues and a divide in opinions in the national capital New Delhi, whereas in Ahmedabad which implemented the Bogota/Curitiba model is highly successful and is being replicated in Surat,Vadodara,Jaipur and Indore. 
 
Bangalore had CTTP recommendation of BRTS on the Eastern Outer Ring Road between Silkboard and Hebbal.Once in a while it comes in news, but there is no concrete plan on this. Plans  should have been integrated during the construction of flyovers on the Outer Ring Road itself, but we do not see any such thing. Could you please share with us anything is there in the corner between Silkboard and Hebbal.
 
Bangalore has got lots of wide one way roads. Richmond Road, Mission Road, Kempegowda Road, Stretch of Airport Road etc. Also, some of the roads which are wide 3 lanes in each direction such as Inner Ring Road, Kasturbha Road, upcoming Peripheral Ring Road, Bellary Road could also be considered for BRTS. 
 
 I really appreciate your effort towards Suburban Railway for Bangalore for which GoK has approved. If similarly, you could push BRTS in Bangalore for a more sustainable, cost effective and easy to implement solution, people could see solution for today's problem within a year's time, just like commuter rail, unlike Metro systems which involves thousands of crores and the benifits which could be seen only after 5-10 years.
 
Thanks,
Vasanth,
Bangalore
Vasanth's picture

Sent an email to BDA

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pro@bdabangalore.org
 
Dear Sir,
 
Outer Ring Road built by BDA has been very helpful for lots of motorists and public transport buses. Offlate lots of development is happening around Outer Ring Road, especially the SEZ area between Sarjapur Road and Hebbal. Lots of multinational companies have built their offices here and so are many apartments coming up. This in turn has lead to huge traffic pile ups. Flyovers built by you have reduced the travel time on this stretch but not during peak hours. Number of vehicles plying on the city is increasing day by day.
 
CTTP 2007 had recommended a BRTS to be built between Silkboard and Hebbal. But we are not seeing any progress regarding this. Cities across India primarily Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Jaipur, Surat,Vadodara and Indore is building BRTS to cope up with this traffic mess for favouring public transport, BRTS being more economical, faster to build solution compared to Metro/Mono.
 
Is there any plan to build BRTS in Bangalore on the Outer Ring Road? If so is there any Special Purpose Vehicle built for the same? Could you please provide details on the same. I am a daily traveller on the Outer Ring Road using a city bus. Looking at the traffic today, I personally feel we badly need a BRTS here on this stretch.
 
Looking forward for additional details on this from you.
 
Thanks,
Vasanth
Vasanth's picture

Sent an email to BMTC

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probmtc@gmail.com, ctmobmtc@gmail.com

Dear Sir,
 
BMTC has been very good job in adding new routes along with procuring new environmentally friendly buses. Recently added big trunk and big feeder buses are providing huge benefits to the bus users.
 
I have been a regular bus user and was in frequent touch with Somashekar, former CTMO. What I personally feel is that buses be given priority on roads with dedicated lanes. Huge number of people are migrating to Bangalore and huge number of vehicles are getting added to city roads. Lots of lucrative jobs in the city is allowing young people to buy luxury cars and we see lots of single occupancy cars and 2 wheelers causing frequent traffic jams. It is with very huge difficulty that the drivers of buses carrying hunderds of people have to drive in this huge traffic. This is not only resulting in frequent accidents, also reducing the speed of the buses and lesser mileage of buses.
 
Cities across India and all over the world are going for BRTS with level boarding and ticketing in bus stops. BRTS is a faster and a sustainable solution for faster movement of buses equivalent to the speeds of Metro. 
 
Is there any plans for BMTC to introduce BRTS by working in conjunction with Directorate of Urban Land Transport, BDA/BBMP and Bangalore Traffic Police. As per CTTP 2007 recommendation, between Silkboard and Hebbal a BRTS was proposed. So far it is not much in news. Is there any plans for the same, could you please share the details.
 
There are many wide one way roads in Bangalore such as Residency Road, Kempegowda Road, Stretches of Airport Road and also Koramanagala Inner Ring Road which are wide enough to operate BRTS buses. Can you please take forward this initiative with GoK and with other departments.
 
Thanks,
Vasanth
Vasanth's picture

Hubli - Dharwad BRTS

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A link to the Hubli Dharward BRTS Site.

http://hdbrts.co.in

A Special Purpose Vehicle has been setup for the same. Workshop on Transit Oriented Development etc were conducted for stakeholders. DULT is running the show.  Great going.

Other twin cities like 'Shiomoga-Bhadravathi', Mangalore-Udupi should also opt for the same keeping future in mind,

 

murali772's picture

ill-conceived, and now in deep trouble

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@ Vasanth - I have never quite been a fan of BRTS, and the following is what I had written earlier about Hubli-Dharwar BRTS (full text of the post may be accessed here):

I had always questioned the BRT, for reasons detailed by me on the 15th (above), as also elsewhere. And, this preposterous 44M wide Hubli-Dharwar scheme should put paid to all the debates, once and for all, one would like to think.

Further, the following excerpts from a recent New Indian Express report (full text may be accessed here) tells a tale of its own:

The BRTS has failed to take off because of problems in land acquisition. With land prices in the twin cities scaling new heights each passing day, farmers are demanding high compensation, though the government is offering 1.75 times the guidance value.

As a result, commuters are forced to travel on a road full of potholes, untarred diversions and dust. This has  stretched the travel time between Hubli and Dharwad, a distance of about 17 km,  to over one hour during peak hours.Irked, the people of the twin cities are now demanding that the authorities complete the four-lane project first. - - - He (Noor Mansur, Managing Director, Hubli-Dharwad BRTS) said the four-laning was stopped to avoid duplication of the shifting of utilities like water and drainage pipelines, electricity and telephone wires. “Since the BRTS is an 8-lane project, we need to shift utilities after acquiring the land. Or else, we will have to do it twice,’’ he added.


I am now all the more of the opinion that BRTS is not quite the satisfactory answer to efficient and cost-effective bus transport services.

Muralidhar Rao
Vasanth's picture

Ill Conceived of not having BRTS

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@Murali Sir, lot of media reporters report without having any basic knowledge of these kind of Mass Transport Projects. Indian Express and Kannada Prabha group especially are against BMRCL since they could not get an appointment after waiting for hours with ex MD of BMRCL, Sri Sivasilam and they trash Metro left and right. On Saturday's paper of Kannada Prabha, they are saying Metro is  only 4.4 kms operational in Bangalore between Byappanahalli to MG Road. We all know that it is 6.7 kms. Even that kind of basic information they will not have.

http://archives.kannadaprabha.com/pdf/5102013/2.pdf

Coming to this report, even if they would not have done BRTS, for road widening, they would have been irked the same way, may be for a shorter duration. Again, even our politicians are short sighted too having very little education and coming in the way of development work.

Other alternative is to go with a Commuter Rail / Metro / Light Rail / Mono which would be too expensive. Monorail came into picture during Shettar's regime, again was dropped off.  Commuter Rail, we know how slow the railways is in implementing. Again it needs additional land to construct additional tracks and will also need additional stations.

This project is under the consultation of SUTP, EMBARQ who has got international experience on BRTS including our own Janmarg unlike the ill conceived BRTS of Delhi and Pune whose consultation was not done with these organizations. They are planning for Transit Oriented Development along this corridor with a new city called 'Navanagar' with high density office spaces.

http://embarqindia.org/hd-workshop-may

Lot of brain storming and consultation has been done prior to the design. Let us wait and see once it is fully operational.

Vasanth's picture

Ahmedabad enforcement is becoming stricter on BRTS Corridor

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Initially people were entering BRTS corridor happily. Now, Police has become strict and people are even sent to prison for entering BRTS corridor:

Report Here:

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/20-arrested-for-trespassing-BRTS-corridor/articleshow/23618867.cms

BRTS Station on a Flyover:

http://www.dnaindia.com/ahmedabad/1886772/report-coming-soon-brts-station-atop-ellisbridge-flyover

 

murali772's picture

don't get the logic

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Other alternative is to go with a Commuter Rail / Metro / Light Rail / Mono which would be too expensive.

How can anything be costlier than a 44M wide corridor in an urban set up, in today's world?

Indian Express and Kannada Prabha group especially are against BMRCL since they could not get an appointment after waiting for hours with ex MD of BMRCL, Sri Sivasilam and they trash Metro left and right.

Such comments are best avoided. Would you say the same of the many critical comments by Prajagalu, too?

Muralidhar Rao
Vasanth's picture

44M width not necessarily needed

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Murali Sir, we don't need 44m width necessarily. Here they have gone with 44m width to allow 3 lane vehicles plus a BRT corridor. People are happy if the road is widened, but not ready to give away one lane for BRT.

If you can see the presentation about Vadodara BRTS, they are doing on 18m span.

What I am trying to say is don't widen exclusively for BRT in core cities, wherever there is width, take up BRT.

What I mean to say about Indian Express is that, some media are up against some organization and their reports should not be blindly believed. 

murali772's picture

not convinced

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@ Vasanth

If you can see the presentation about Vadodara BRTS, they are doing on 18m span.

I have seen the Vadodara BRTS presentation. 18M span is where there are no stoppage or pass-through provisions, or, they are elevated. If going for the elevated option, you may as well go for the METRO.

What I am trying to say is don't widen exclusively for BRT in core cities, wherever there is width, take up BRT.

If you are into BRT, it has to be for the full stretch. These buses can't be used on regular roads, since they are built different with entry and exit on the wrong side (as compared to conventional buses).

What I mean to say about Indian Express is that, some media are up against some organization and their reports should not be blindly believed.

Please understand that I read 'contra' opinions as much as 'for' opinions before taking a stand. And, I can change my stand too if I am presented with convincing arguments. Here, plainly, I am not convinced. Whatever, nobody here is going by "blind beliefs", please.

Muralidhar Rao
Vasanth's picture

Re: Not Convinced

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@Murali Sir

I have seen the Vadodara BRTS presentation. 18M span is where there are no stoppage or pass-through provisions, or, they are elevated. If going for the elevated option, you may as well go for the METRO.

Murali Sir, if you see the time taken to build Metro, it is so huge. Many of the viaducts such as Jayanagar (Reach 4) were built nearly 2 years back, still we have not seen trains over there. It takes another 2 years to see the train. Also, so many approvals are needed from railways. For an elevated BRT, we just need the viaduct to be done and road to be laid.  It would have been 2 years now with the BRT service started if it would have been elevated BRT on that stretch.

If you are into BRT, it has to be for the full stretch. These buses can't be used on regular roads, since they are built different with entry and exit on the wrong side (as compared to conventional buses).

Not necessarily. Most of the BRT system buses are capable of handling both BRT routes and non-BRT routes. Please look at this image of Ahmedabad BRT bus. It has got doors on both the sides.

 

Please understand that I read 'contra' opinions as much as 'for' opinions before taking a stand. And, I can change my stand too if I am presented with convincing arguments. Here, plainly, I am not convinced. Whatever, nobody here is going by "blind beliefs", please.

Contra opinions are too much for this kind of 'anti car' projects since the car lobbying is too strong in Bangalore. Most of the people who use buses are not strong enough and even do not know what is BRT  to lobby it similar to daily train travellers from suburbs not understanding commuter rail proposal.

Successful BRT projects executed around the world including our own Janmarg are not 'blind beliefs'.  We need other alternatives to Metro. Metro is too expensive and too much time consuming to implement. Commuter Rail and BRTS is a faster, economical and sustainable alternative solution to Metro. BRTS has to fight against strong 'car lobbying' for its lane which is why is called 'ill conceived'.

Vasanth's picture

Presentation on BRTS while presenting BRTS for Mumbai

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Dario Hidalgo, who worked on the South American BRTS systems presentation in Mumbai for Mumbai BRTS.

Space of the car taken away and not the space for the people. Very nice statement by the presenter.

 
 

In the final video, the challenges faced in Delhi is presented.

murali772's picture

pointless debate

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if you see the time taken to build Metro, it is so huge. Many of the viaducts such as Jayanagar (Reach 4) were built nearly 2 years back, still we have not seen trains over there. It takes another 2 years to see the train. Also, so many approvals are needed from railways.

All of these are due to poor planning, co-ordination, and project management practices on the part of the various government agencies involved. These can happen as much in the case of purely road projects too - like in the case of the C N R Rao junction underpass (at the IISc main-gate), and even in the Hubli-Dharwar BRT project, as evident from a reading of the press reports linked to in my post of 4th Oct (above).

Not necessarily. Most of the BRT system buses are capable of handling both BRT routes and non-BRT routes. Please look at this image of Ahmedabad BRT bus. It has got doors on both the sides.

From a cursory look at the picture, there appears to be a safety issue - may be I am wrong. Either way, you can't have buses switching from one scheme to another along the same stretch. As such, there is a flexibility issue. Bus door location is just one aspect - there are many more.

The picture besides (as also all the pictures that I have seen of BRTS) depicts the unconscionable under-utilisation of urban land space - an intrinsic characteristic of BRT, which is going to make it even more costly in the days to come. As such, I can't see much of a future for BRTS.

BRTS has to fight against strong 'car lobbying' for its lane which is why is called 'ill conceived'.

"ill conceived" was a term I used, and I continue to stand by it, whether you want to label me as part of the car lobby or not.

All said and done, like I have stated before, BRT and all such solutions are far costlier and unsatisfactory substitutes for what could easily be achieved through properly licensed, regulated and policed bus services, not confined just to government operators. Well, the Sheila Dikshit government in Delhi appeared to be headed on the right track. But, somewhere along they got it a bit wrong, and landed up with the likes of Ponty Chaddha (Mr Chaddha himself is no more) to operate the services, instead of the likes of TVS. Public bus transport services are the biggest emerging business opportunity, and I expect the likes of TVS are becoming aware of it, and the likes of Sheila Dikshit are simultaneously seeing the need to get their act right to facilitate their entry.

Of course, when a city grows beyond a point, the best connectivity option between the outlying areas, is the METRO. May be a city can be held back from 'growing beyond a point' by having good Commuter Rail connectivity to nearby townships.

We had gone through all of these earlier, here. The major difference since then has been the enormous increase in urban land prices, and that isn't going to help BRT any. So, I don't see where all this is taking us.

PS:
Space of the car taken away

As also for the utility vehicles, ambulances, fire engines, etc

Muralidhar Rao
Naveen's picture

BRT on ORR

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BRT on eastern ORR is very much possible - & Manjula madam (DULT Comm) has stated recently that it was already under process. Real estate may be expensive but this is so only when substantial land has to be acquired, not when existing road widths permit dedicated lanes for BRT. And utility vehicles, ambulances & fire engines will move faster on BRT lanes, not in mixed traffic.

The only question is if BRT's capacity would be sufficient on ORR - BMRC has already commissioned a DPR for metro on ORR & that should give the answer about expected ridership. Looking at the traffic on ORR now, it does seem that ridership may be high, however if projections for the next 15-20 years are not high enough to warrant a metro route, they may go ahead with BRT & think of metro later since investments for BRT on ORR may not be too high, given that most of the flyovers already have lanes between ramps for buses.

Elsewhere, I dont think BRT is possible due to insufficient road width - this is the key for any BRT to be cost efficient.

n's picture

under-utilisation of urban

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under-utilisation of urban land space - an intrinsic characteristic of BRT, which is going to make it even more costly in the days to come. As such, I can't see much of a future for BRTS.

I agree with this.  Instead of dedicated lanes, it is much better to increase frequency, rationalize routes etc.  When we were school-going kids and used buses everyday, we knew all the buses in our area and had run rudimentary calculations (had student passes so used to travel a lot) based on observed times of travel, rest times for crew, verification by BMTC (then BTS) managers at depots etc.  With the number of buses then available, buses could easily be run at 15-20 minute intervals without taxing drivers and conductors.  Instead, just like now, the buses would skip stops during peak hours of school / office travel times, two buses would run one after another in non-peak hours etc.

all such solutions are far costlier and unsatisfactory substitutes for what could easily be achieved through properly licensed, regulated and policed bus services, not confined just to government operators.

Again, agree.  There were times during strikes and even otherwise during late 1990s when army drivers / private operators for brief periods ran buses quite efficiently.  If partial or complete privatization results in worsening the existing "service", there is always the option of re-nationalization.  Govt. generally should get out of providing services and should concentrate on strengthening specifications, regulations and enforcement. Even if nepotism / kickbacks / bribes / corruption are a necessary evil, they should exist with effective results on-ground and convenience to people.  That is why "advanced" countries are developed as basic necessities / infrastructure are well provided even as nepotism / bribes exist.


Vasanth's picture

Please answer this question

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@Murali Sir and n sir, Stretch between Jayadeva to Silkboard via BTM layout during peak hours now takes nearly 30 minutes to cross which takes only 10 minutes during off peak hours.

If privatization of buses can reduce the travel time here to atleast 15 minutes along this stretch, I am game for promoting to end the Monopoly of BMTC and KSRTC buses. Is it possible?

 

murali772's picture

answer blowing in the wind

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@ Vasanth - In London, you have clearly marked "bus priority lanes", as compared to the "dedicated lanes" in case of BRT. That is what I would recommend for Bengaluru too.

I have from long been saying - "Rather than dedicated lanes, total ban on private vehicles (meaning - vehicles other than buses, taxi's and auto's) on select stretches (like the BTM layout stretch), during peak hours, would any day be preferable" (check here). Now, if you try to enforce this without putting in place a good bus service, then people will rise in revolt, quite like it happened in Delhi. And, a good and efficient service cannot be provided by a government monopoly - period.

If you accept this much, then finding solutions becomes child's play. Because people refuse to see the obvious, for all kinds of reasons/ excuses/ vested interests, we are per force burdened with all kinds of costly options.

Muralidhar Rao
Vasanth's picture

Enforcement with Painted Bus Lanes is the challenge

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@Murali Sir, I would love to see painted bus lanes and buses only travelling on it like London. But enforcement in India is the question. Other solution is the contraflow painted bus lanes which works well in one way roads.But, again, enforcement is the key here.

Again, to have Bus only roads, some of the roads do not have alternate routes. In regions such as BTM layout or elsewhere such as Airport Road, there is no shortage of buses, rather, buses are not moving faster having struck in traffic. This would be case even if we introduce Private Players too. Rather, if we have dedicated bus lanes, enable both Government and Private operators to run their buses, private transport on a carriage contract basis, travelling time in bus gets reduced. Being a dedicated bus lane, the worries of rash driving such as hitting a two wheeler / cyclist / pedestrain would be minimized.

Advantages of a complete BRT system such as Curitiba and Bogota are a plenty and a lot of work has been put behind the scenes to design such a system.

1. Faster Bus Travel resulting in

Improved Fuel Effiiency

Improved Frequency

Improved Fuel Effeciency & Improved Frequency resulting in better revenue for the operating company such as BMTC.

Speeds will be much faster than private vehicles which is not the case if we operate the buses in mixed mode  whether it is Government operated bus or private  operator operated bus.

2. Safer and Easier Boarding with level boarding along with wheel chair possibility. Level boarding also improves the speed of boarding and alighting thereby reducing the time consumed in bus stops.

3. Pre boarding ticketing - No need for conductor, no confusion with stages as is now with  BMTC, Also, no loss of revenue with conductor not giving ticket. Operating company can employ more drivers than conductors.

4. Above all, sustainable since the costs in setting up BRTS is lower (unless you have to acquire land for extra lane which is done very rarely) , so is the setup time.

What we need is a 'political will' to implement this like in Ahmedabad. Opposition to BRTS is quite obvious, especially from private vehicle users and such opposition will come even for bicycle lanes, widening of footpaths. 

Lots of cities are going towards BRTS as it is a low hanging fruit similar to Commuter Rail. What we need is support and campaign by Praja members after doing a full study like Bicycling Promotion, BusDay Promotion, Commuter Rail Promotion. Hoping this will happen one day or the other despite of stiff opposition !!

n's picture

Stretch between Jayadeva to

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Stretch between Jayadeva to Silkboard via BTM layout during peak hours now takes nearly 30 minutes to cross which takes only 10 minutes during off peak hours.

If privatization of buses can reduce the travel time here to atleast 15 minutes along this stretch, I am game for promoting to end the Monopoly of BMTC and KSRTC buses. Is it possible?

Sure - let's look at an example.  Assume that buses now run at 7 am, 7.05 am, 8.15 am, 8.30 am, 9.30 am.  If buses are efficient and regular, let's assume they run 6.45 am to 8.30 am at 15-min intervals.  So, a person can plan and leave at 7.15 or 7.30 or 7.45 with the more efficient service.  A regular traveller will know when to leave and can more importantly plan for it as predictability/punctuality is key.  Some days, it may be late due to accidents etc. but again a private player working for profit will clear it away quickly as for them time is money.  In any case, with an accident, buses on priority lanes will be stalled.  In the above stretch, dedicated lanes are next to impossible anyway. 

In most of Bengaluru, road lanes and widths are less compared to say Delhi.  So, the traffic is over-saturated and introducing dedicated bus lanes will be met with a lot of resistance by the people using private vehicles (majority users on road).  Traffic police planners are smart and already know this so are reluctant to introduce BRT.  BPS is DOA because when priority is not or cannot be given for ambulances and other emergency vehicles, how can buses have them?  Long-term solution is the reliable, sustainable metro.


Vasanth's picture

Hmmm....

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Sure - let's look at an example.  Assume that buses now run at 7 am, 7.05 am, 8.15 am, 8.30 am, 9.30 am.  If buses are efficient and regular, let's assume they run 6.45 am to 8.30 am at 15-min intervals.  So, a person can plan and leave at 7.15 or 7.30 or 7.45 with the more efficient service.  A regular traveller will know when to leave and can more importantly plan for it as predictability/punctuality is key.  Some days, it may be late due to accidents etc. but again a private player working for profit will clear it away quickly as for them time is money.  In any case, with an accident, buses on priority lanes will be stalled.  In the above stretch, dedicated lanes are next to impossible anyway. 

Buses are available in this stretch almost every minute.. No need to plan either. But where is the way for the bus to go N sir?  We go in our office bus who do not stop anywhere here, even then it takes 30-35 mins because of the congestion. 

We have to understand the problem is the congestion and not the availability of buses. Lots of people do not leave their cars and single occupancy cars is a  problem. This is more an attitude problem.

 

 BRT in this stretch is also possible, one bus and two cars or two buses can go together. So dedicate a lane to bus.

 

Vasanth's picture

BRTS a brief intro and the standards - Gold,Silver & Bronze

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BRT_Standard_ENGLISH.pdf

 

Vasanth's picture

Bus moving past traffic - BRTS Advantage

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This is in Mexico City

Vasanth's picture

BRTS and bike lanes in Guangzhou - Transformed the main street

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Our Outer Ring Road between Silkboard to Hebbal is similar to this. The service road is so chaotic and get clogged suddenly. Same on the Main Road near Bellandur. Bicycle Lane Running Parallel to Bus Lane makes transit integration seamless with parking facilities in BRT Stations.

Vasanth's picture

It is Chennai's Turn for BRTS

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http://www.deccanchronicle.com/131009/news-current-affairs/article/study-says-brts-can-run-six-chennai-routes

 

Chennai: Six routes have been identified in the city for the Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) by the Institute of Transpor­tation and Development Policy (ITDP) in its report to the government.

BRTS is best suited for the CMBT-Madhavaram, Siruseri-Saidapet, Tambaram-Airport and the GST road-Thorai­pakkam stretches, according to the institute roped in by the government to study the feasibility of implementing the new bus service in Chennai.

Speaking to Deccan Chronicle on the sidelines of World Habitat Day celebrations here on Tuesday, Shreya Gadepalli, regional director (India), ITDP,  said  BRTS must be integrated with the metro rail, MRTS and suburban rail network to provide commuters a seamless journey and ease traffic congestion in the city.

 

Similar such study needs to be requested from ITDP by Gok/DULT.

Also Pedestrain Friendly Roads study conducted by ITDP:

330 routes for pedestrians

Chennai city corporation is all set to make 330 bus routes in the city pedestrian friendly. The city corporation will soon embark on a survey to identify these 330 bus routes.

“There are various cities in the world like New York where roads are made pedestrian friendly by diverting cars to different roads. So we should make our roads friendly to pedestrians. Chennai city is now taking big steps in making footpaths usable”, Shreya Gadepalli, regional director (India), Institute of Transportation & Development Policy (ITDP),  on the sidelines of World Habitat Day celebrations at Anna University on Tuesday said.

Pointing out that the city corporation would take up 330 bus routes to revamp footpaths, Shreya Gadepalli said that Pondy Baazar and Mylapore would become complete walking spots and the cycling sharing system, which the corporation is working on,  would help bring down congestion in the city.

Sources in the city corporation said in the first phase the local body would widen footpaths in 71 roads, including Gandhi-Irwin road in Egmore.  Work has begun in 13 spots.

“We will soon conduct a survey to identify 330 bus routes. In the next phase corporation will take up all these roads and we ill realign EB box, telephone posts and bus shelters. A private expert will be roped in to design footpaths. Based on the design, the  corporation will do necessary changes on footpaths”, the sources said.

79% use government buses, 7% drive cars

Delivering the Prof. G. Dattatri Memorial lecture at Anna University, Shreya Gadepalli, regional director (India), I the Institute of Transportation and Development Policy,  pointed out that 79 per cent  of people in the city used government buses and 21 per cent trains, while in London 30 per cent used buses and 62 per cent trains.

“As many as 20 lakh people use share autos in Chennai and only seven per cent drive  cars,” she noted, also strongly suggesting that cities should be designed as blocks of one hectare each to make them more pedestrian-friendly.

Anna University registrar (in-charge),  Prof S. Ganesan,  in his address, lamented that motorists didn’t make way even for ambulances with dying patients on congested roads in the city.

“It’s  pathetic to see an ambulance with its beacon switched on and a high decibel siren caught in traffic.

Motorists should have the courtesy to make room for the vehicle which is responding to a medical emergency,  but this never happens in Chennai”, he regretted.

 

Vasanth's picture

Delhi BRTS - Divide between Rich and Poor Argument in Court

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182 users have liked.

This happened last year and reported in BBC:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-19572583

"Car owners are the creators of wealth. Do you realise that they get exhausted sitting in their cars due to traffic jams and they reach office completely tired? It affects their efficiency. Do you want them to perform less?" asks the main petitioner BB Sharan.

Argument of car owners representative is so irritating and such cases should not even be admitted in the court.

 

Vasanth's picture

Remembering Capt.Naveen's Presentation of 2008 on BRTS

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163 users have liked.

We had discussions here:

http://praja.in/en/blog/naveen/2008/05/16/dedicated-bus-lanes-presentation-bbmp

and here:

http://praja.in/en/gyan/brts-bus-priority-or-similar-concepts-bangalore

Nowadays, we seem to have forgotten BRTS due to concentration on other Projects. Now we have handful of successful as well as failed BRTS projects across India. 

 

Vasanth's picture

Surat BRTS to open this month - With full Airconditioned Buses

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158 users have liked.

This month, Surat BRTS is expected to open. They have retrofitted normal Tata/ Leyland buses with airconditioning and all the buses are airconditioned. Roughly it takes around 2 years to build full fledged level boarding BRTS from the experience of Ahmedabad, Surat.

Source SSC.

Vasanth's picture

Soil Testing for Metro on Outer Ring Road near Doddanekundi

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163 users have liked.

Soil testing for Metro is being done on Outer Ring Road near Doddanekundi Signal. It mentioned BMRCL - Phase 2 Metro Soil Testing. I am not sure if this is for Metro or for flyover and just barricades being used that of Metro.

If it is for Metro, it is a waste in such a wide road where we can have more sustainable BRTS. Also, parallelly from Yeshwantpur to almost till Bellandur, Hosur track runs on which we can have commuter rail.

Why don't they have Metro where it is absolutely needed, in congested places may be underground.

 

Vasanth's picture

Hubli - Dharwad BRTS will be done in 16 months

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150 users have liked.

Hubli - Dharwad BRTS will be done in 16 months - Looks very promising with footover bridges to access median bus lanes, all Air Conditioned Buses with 150 regular buses and 30 articulated buses:

kamalakar pandit's picture

Sir, It will be great if its

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Sir,

It will be great if its done in 16 months. had been to Dharwad last month and travelling to Hubli is real pain...loads of just...roads are getting upgraded...most of the parts is not done as yet...

it will be boon to the twin cities if MD is meeting the deadline.

Regards

kamal

Vasanth's picture

Dario Hidalgo on BRTS for India

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The Columbian City Planning Expert Dario Hidalgo's view on Bicycling, BRTS and Footpaths

http://www.thehindu.com/features/homes-and-gardens/creating-successful-cities/article5843800.ece

Vasanth's picture

Battery Operated BRTS Buses - Will this be the future

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178 users have liked.

The newly introduced Electric Bus in Bangalore has been a huge success with zero emissions , very low noise inside cabin and better pickup than diesel buses.

If introduced along with BRTS, will it be the future competing even with Metro and Monorail systems?.

Battery Bus

Vasanth's picture

No election candiates have sustainable transport as their agenda

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146 users have liked.

None of the election candidates for Bangalore or anywhere have any agenda related to sustainable transport like bicycling and BRTS. Everyone saying 'train' like bullet train to Delhi, Monorail etc.

Even there is no promise to reduce BMTC fares in Bangalore by employing alternative fuel technologies like CNG which other cities are doing. This shows how much an election candidate knows about common man's problem including 'AAM AADMI' party.

 

Vasanth's picture

Hubli - Dharwad BRTS Carriage Way Details

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145 users have liked.

Found this document on SSC HD BRTS Post prepared by Asst. DULT Comissioner:

http://cistup.iisc.ernet.in/pdf/5thFdayEvent/14ffd2014.pdf

kamalakar pandit's picture

very happy if they complete by mid 2015

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147 users have liked.

Hi Vasanth,

was there in Dharwad sometime back, the widening of the road is moving at snail pace. i really doubt people will enjoy the BRTS comfort by mid 2015.

people have to suffer for few more years with Bendre Naraka (nagara) sarige....lots of dust...

once BRTS is done its gonna creat lots of interest to do the same in Bangalore.... not able to get information on BRTS along ORR....any idea/update...what's their plan at KR puram juntion..which is the biggest hurdle...

 

Regards

 

kamal

Vasanth's picture

Thanks for the status update Kamal

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141 users have liked.

Thanks for the update Kamal. Feeling bad that BRTS would not be possible by mid 2015. I heard some great reviews about the Bendre Nagara Sarige, but getting ground reality now only.

Bangalore BRTS is not proceeding anywhere. Once in moonlight news appears and disappears. Planners and politicians are driven by Metro Mania, Bullet Train etc.. not a sustainable project like BRTS.

kamalakar pandit's picture

Hi Vasanth,   very very sad

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Hi Vasanth,

 

very very sad to hear that Govt./DULT is not taking any iterest in implementing BRTS on ORR or on KIA road..as u said none of the babus are interested in sustainable transportation...I am sure no one understands the meaning of SUSTAINABILITY... just talk about Metro/Mono/LRT...all fancy names spend huge money on DPR's and forget it....very sad that we are ruled by no-commensense educated/un-educated politicians....

By seeing all this some time I strognly feel British rule would have been better, they would have developed the transportation/infrastructure to great extent..atleast hundred times better than modern day politicians have done.

 

Regards

 

kamal

Vasanth's picture

Lahore in Pakistan doing great with BRTS

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Our neighbour Pakistan's Lahore is doing great progress in BRTS with bus only flyovers and BRTS. A cross post from SSC:

An elevated station:

Vasanth's picture

This is a short video on Lahore BRTS

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148 users have liked.

Vasanth's picture

When will Bangalore see its first BRTS?

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151 users have liked.

After looking at all these, when will Bangalore get its first BRTS? Politicians are not even talking about this, but talking only on fancy projects like Bullet Train from Bangalore - Delhi. Bangalore is lacking proper foot paths and sanitary system, basic local train system and a good public transport system.

Vasanth's picture

Metro North South Corridor only in 2016

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FYI Metro North South Corridor may be seen only in 2016 due to breakdown of TBM. 9 years to complete Phase 1 (:

Why aren't we exploring solution in hand such as commuter rail and easily implementable BRTS. Ahmedabad completed 89kms of BRTS in 2 years.

Sanjeev's picture

Bangalore : Officials and Politicians determined not allow any

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Except METRO, politicians and Officials have unofficialy decided not to allow any thing even footpaths and skywalks in Bangalore.

Once METRO proves that it can not handel the city traffic demands,  then  somthing amy happen.  

Its even citizens of Bnagalore to blame as they find excited to spend time in traffic  using WiFI network,  so they may be enjoying working in traffic comfortably then spenidng quality time in office or home.

MaheshK's picture

Is JICA rethinking on Phase II?

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154 users have liked.

There was an aricle in DH August 28 reg JICA rethinking on funding phase II due to long delay in phase I. If they back out, hope there is a back up plan for BMRCL for funding phase II.   

amithpallavoor's picture

Has the ambitious

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144 users have liked.

Has the ambitious BRTS project for Hubli-Dharwad made any progress or is it still mired in bureaucratic red tape like other projects?

Why not undertake a similar exercise on Mysore's ring roads and the new airport road?

When will BMTC ever listent to commuters?

 

Vasanth's picture

BRTS in Indore wins in HC over private car owner petitions

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145 users have liked.

More here:

 

http://www.deccanherald.com/content/462066/brts-buses-win-battle-cars.html

It clearly says that movement of people important over than vehicles as claimed by the car owners. Temporarily they had allowed cars in Bus Lanes too which decreased the speed of buses from average 20 kph to 13kph. This is the case if we do not go with BRTS and claim buses in mixed traffic can achieve the same.

 

kamalakar pandit's picture

BRTS on KIAL to Electronic City/White Field/Bidadi Via ORR

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143 users have liked.

Hi Vasanth,

I think its possible to have a BRTS or atleast a bus lane with bus stop interconnected on either side of the road with skywalk with biotoilet facility on the following stretch

 

1. KIAL - Bellary Road - Hebbal - K R puram Silkboard - Electronic City phase1 and Phase 2.

2. KIAL - Bellary Road - Hebbal - ORR - Tumkur Road - Malagala - Nayandalli Junction - Mysore road - Kengeri - Bidadi.

3. KIAL - Bellary Road - Hebbal - K R puram - White field

I know that there may be little problem at KR puram (which is going to be there either of the case) traffic can be stream lined to great extent.

and further, areas like Yelahanka, Jakkur, Amruth Halli, Sahakara nagar, etc..can be connected to the neareast stop of the dedicated lane (so as to have ring route or what they call SAMPARKA seve)

If this can be implemented on trial basis it will surely benefit the normal citizens a lot

Regards

kamal

Vasanth's picture

Elevated BRTS in Kualalampur

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132 users have liked.

 

More here

I think this would be the future.  So much of time to build complex metro systems with so much testing and so much monitoring..

 

srinidhi's picture

Not sure what Malaysia

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133 users have liked.

Not sure what Malaysia achieved with building this BRT (5 Kms)..the road below seems to be almost empty (8 lane) and not sure why BRT could not be built at grade itself..an LRT system would make more sense there..

I think they are like the middle east sloshed with petro funds, hence go experimenting with many things..

ajay73's picture

Elevated BRTS is not suitable for Bangalore

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138 users have liked.

The Bangalore air has already got pollutated.  As we know our BMTC drivers driving the vehicle & even private people will get access to those BRTs with influence of polical parties..OUr population is too much BRTs does serve the purpose in Bangalore..

Thanks

Ajay

 

Ajay

Bangaluru

 

 

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