BMTC Routing

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BMTC has x000 buses, and with those many buses, it runs y000 routes. The route to bus ratio comes to around xx, and here is how it compares with some other bus systems.

Route to Bus ratio
CityBuseRoutesRatio
Mumbaitbd  
Chennaitbd  
Londontbd  
Paristbd  
Bangaloretbd  

While high route to bus ratio may provide a picture that the bus system has good reach and coverage, that may be misleading because the high ratio could imply lower frequencies. In case of BMTC, it has deployed a significant number of buses on long point to point routes, and further, has variations (333A, B, C, D etc) to add more buses on large PTP routes. Running more routes means you have fewer buses on each route, and hence the frequency is expected to be lower (fewer buses deployed on each route). Perceived reliability of a bus service depends on wait time at bus stops, and that in turn depends on on two key aspects

  • Punctuality - I would show up a bus stop at x hours sharp
  • Frequency - Maximum time I'd have to wait to get a bus to my destination

Since BMTC operates in mixed and congested traffic conditions, it can guarantee punctuality at point closer of origin. Larger the route, further the bus stop from origin, harder it is to predict arrival times. Shorter route, in theory, give you better chances of running predictable schedules.

Other way of increasing commuter preception on reliability is to offer higher frequencies. Current examples of this would be BMTC's 335E (Majestic to ITPL) and 365 (Majestic to Benerghatta Park) Volvo routes.

Beyond the simple description above, there are further detailed ideas and suggestions on how BMTC can improve on its routing system. Refer to these pages for some:

Ask Me service - Query on BMTC routes

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BusPublic Transport

Based on major discussions in praja we have seen that the main issue in switching over to public transport is not knowing the routes of the buses as majority board are in Kannada only. Hence I just thought of starting this blog where any query regarding BMTC routes would be answered. Answers will be based on the frequent routes available as it is impossible to know the timings of each and every bus plying on 2000 odd routes in Bangalore. any person who wished to know the route may please post the same in this blog. 

BMTC - Interactive Maps Project

Book to hold together all other wikis and posts related to the crowdsourcing driven BMTC Maps project. Edit this wiki page as the project grows.

Crowdsourcing: BMTC Vajra Route info database - I

A few folks at Praja are trying to create some handy, cool and easy to understand maps for buses. In the initial phases their focus has been on the volvo routes.

Attached is the completed vajra map. The plan is that there will be one more map/side which will accompany this map, which shows each route individiually in a straight line - showing ALL the stops. Now to create this map, we need to collect data regarding the list of all the stops the bus stops at. This complete info is not mentioned on the BMTC site.

Can we do this true Praja style? Below is the first list of bus routes. We will make 2 more posts to cover all the vajra routes. We need to make sure that all the bus stops covered by the route are covered in "via places".

How to fill the table?

If you have bus stops to add, make sure you do that in the correct order. Suppose I have to add murugeshpallya to route number 335E. Since it comes between Manipal Hospital and AECS Layout. I will add it in between the two. Then I will add my praja-id under the "revised by" column. Since the bus route is not complete yet the answer to the last column is No. If you think the route is complete change that to yes so that we can get working on that.

335E

Majestic (KBS)

Kadugodi Bus Station

Mayo Hall, Manipal Hospital, Murugeshpallya, AECS Layout, ITPL

          shekhar_mittal  No

 

If you are having trouble adding it urself, just make a comment below this wiki and we will make the changes ourself.

 

 

Route Number Origin Destination Via Places Revised by Is it final?

2

Majestic (KBS)

J.P.Nagara PH VI

Corporation, JC Rd./Lalbagh Rd, RV Road, Lalbagh Main Gate, South End Circle, Jayanagara 4th Block, 9th Main Jayanagar, SSMRV, J P Ngr 15th Cross, Sarakki

 Narayan82  yes

195

Chandra Layout

Shivajinagara Bus Station

Income Tax Layout, Vijayanagara, Tol Gate, Magadi Road, Rajajinagar 6th Block, Okalipuram,  Majestic (KBS), Maharani College, Vidhan Soudha, GPO, Indian Express

SB_YPR  Yes

276

Majestic (KBS)

Vidyaranyapura

Central Talkies, Malleshwaram Circle, Malleshwaram 11th Cross, Malleshwaram, 15th Cross, Malleshwaram 18th Cross, IISC, Sadashivanagar Police Station, Devasandra, CPRI, MS Ramaiah Hospital, Kuvempu Circle, BEL Circle, BEL Hospital, Nanjappa Circle,...

 IDS  No

365

Majestic (KBS)

Bannerghatta National Park

Maharani College, Nruptunga Road,Richmond Circle, Shanthi Nagar, Wilson Garden Police Station,Dairy Circle, jayadeva fly over, Bilekahalli, Arekere Gate, Hulimavu Gate, Meenakshi temple, Kalena Agrahara, Gottigere, Bannerghatta

 Narayan82  Yes

505

Electronic City

ITPL

Bommanahalli,Agara,Marathahalli Bridge, Kundalahalli Gate,Sri Sri Sathya Sai Hospital.

   

201R

Srinagara

C.V.Raman Nagara

Mysore bank colony,Hosakerahalli, Kamakhya, Banashankari, Jayanagar 5th Block, Jayanagar 9th Block, BTM Layout, Madivala, Koramangla water tank, Dell, Domlur 100 ft road,Indiranagar 100ft road,CMH Road/CMH Hospital, Thippasandra Cross, BEML Gate, Bagmane Tech park.

 SB_YPR  No

258C

Majestic (KBS)

Nelamangala

Central Talkies, Malleshwaram Circle, Malleshwaram 11th Cross, Malleshwaram, 15th Cross, Malleshwaram 18th Cross, IISC, Yeshwanthpura, Goraguntepalya, Peenya, Jalahalli Cross, Dasarahalli, Makali, Binnamangala

 SB_YPR No

276G

Vidyaranyapura

Electronic City

Sadashivanagara Police Station, Maharani's College, Cauvery Bhavan,Shantinagar,Wilson garden,Dairy circle,Silk board,Bommanhalli,Singasandra

   

305D

Majestic (KBS)

channasandra

Halsoor, KGF, ITPL

   

331A

Shivajinagara Bus Station

Kadugodi Bus Station

Trinity Circle, Command Hospital, Domlur, Kodihalli, Manipal Hospital, Murugeshpalya, HAL, Marathahalli, Kundalahalli Gate, Graphite India Ltd, ITPL, Hope Farm,

 SB_YPR  No

333P

Majestic (KBS)

ITPL

Corporation, Military Accounts, HAL Main Gate,

   

333R

Majestic (KBS)

Marathahalli Bridge

Maharani's College, Corporation,Domlur HAL Main Gate

   

333T

Nagarabhavi BDA Complex

ITPL

Pappareddypalya, Ambedkar College, Nagarbhavi Circle, Chandra Layout, Income Tax Layout, Vijayanagara, Tol Gate, Magadi Road, Rajajinagar 6th Block, Okalipuram,  Majestic (KBS), Maharani College, Corporation, Mayo Hall, Command Hospital, Domlur, Kodihalli, Manipal Hospital, Murugeshpalya, HAL Kalyanamantapa, Marathahalli, Kundalahalli Gate

 SB_YPR  Yes
333W Majestic (KBS) Doddakenahalli Wipro Corporation, Richmond circle, Domlur, Manipal, HAL, Marathahalli, Belandur ss87 No

335E

Majestic (KBS)

Kadugodi Bus Station

Corporation, Mayo Hall, Command Hospital, Domlur, Kodihalli, Manipal Hospital, Murugeshpalya, HAL, Marathahalli, Kundalahalli Gate, AECS Layout, ITPL, Hope Farm

 SB_YPR  No

335EA

Yeshwantpura

ITPL

Swastik ,KR Circle, Corporation

   

356C

Majestic (KBS)

Electronic City

Corporation, Shantinagar, Wilson Garden Police Station, Dairy Circle, Madiwala, Bommanahalli,

 SB_YPR  No

356M

Majestic (KBS)

Anekal

Corporation, Shantinagar, Wilson Garden Police Station, Dairy Circle, Madiwala, Bommanahalli, Electronic City, Narayana Hrudayalaya, Chandapura

 SB_YPR  No
356N Majestic (KBS) Narayana Hrudayalaya Corporation, Shantinagar, Wilson Garden Police Station, Dairy Circle, Madiwala, Bommanahalli, Electronic City, SB_YPR  No
365 J Majestic (KBS) Jigani Corporation, Shantinagar, Wilson Garden, Dairy Circle, MICO check post, IIMB, Arekere Gate, Hulimavu, Meenakshi Temple, Gottigere, Bannerghatta SB_YPR No
 365  Majestic(KBS)  Bannerghatta national park Corporation, Shantinagar, Wilson Garden, Dairy Circle, MICO check post, IIMB, Arekere Gate, Hulimavu, Meenakshi Temple, Gottigere, Bannerghatta SB_YPR  Yes
356Q Majestic(KBS) Electronic city Corporation,South end, Jayanagar 4th block, BTM, Silk board, Bomanahalli        ss87  No
10 Majestic(KBS) Avalahalli BDA Lyt  Cottonpet/Goodshed Road, Chamarajapet, Hanumantanagar, Srinagar, Muneshwara block Srivastava Yes
45G Majestic(KBS) Chennammana Kere Cottonpet/Goodshed Road, Chamarajapet, Hanumantanagar, SBM Bank colony, Hosakerehalli Cross Srivatsava Yes

360B

 Majestic(KBS)

 Attibelle

Corporation,Shantinagar,Wilson garden,Dairy circle,Silk board,Bommanahalli,Electronic city,Chandapura   ss87  No
362E Shivajinagar Electronic city Brigade road junction,elgin,Adugodi,Madiwala,Bommanahalli  ss87  No
365P Majestic (KBS) Anekal Corporation, Shantinagar, Wilson Garden, Dairy Circle, MICO check post, IIMB, Arekere Gate, Hulimavu, Meenakshi Temple, Gottigere, Bannerghatta, Jigani
 SB_YPR  Yes
373G Srinagar Electronic city Hanumanthanagar, Basavanagudi, Jayanagar 4th block, BTM, Silk board, Bommanahalli    
373GR Rajarajeshwari nagar  Electronic City Nayandahalli, BTM, Silk board, Bommanahalli     
375A Kengeri Shirke Electronic city  Kengeri, JSS, Chennasandra, Uttarahalli, Banashankari, BTM, Silk board    
402T Yelahanka Satellite Town ITPL Hebbal, Mekhri Circle, Majestic, Corporation, Domlur, HAL, Marathahalli    
411L Shantinagar ITPL Wilson garden, Shantinagar, Dairy circle, Koramangla Water tank, DELL, HAL, Marathahalli    
500A Hebbal Banashankari Nagavara, Hennur Cross, Kalyana Nagar, Channasandra, Tin Factory, K.R.Puram Rly. Station, Marathahalli, Bellandur, Agara, Silk board, BTM Layout, Jayanagar 9th Block, Jayanagar 5th Block  SB_YPR  No

 Below is the live view of the spreadheet meant for preparing a feed for Google Transit. If you want to contribute open this link in a separate window.

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Vajra_Map_1.pdf453.98 KB
Route 100.JPG20.73 KB

Crowdsourcing: BMTC Vajra Route info database - II

 

A few folks at Praja are trying to create some handy, cool and easy to understand maps for buses. In the initial phases their focs is on the volvo routes.

Attached is the completed vajra map. The plan is that there will be one more map/side which will accompany this map, which shows each route individiually in a straight line - showing ALL the stops. Now to create this map, we need to collect data regarding the list of all the stops the bus stops at. This complete info is not mentioned on the BMTC site.

Can we do this true Praja style? Below is the SECOND list of bus routes. The First list can be found here We need to make sure that all the bus stops covered by the route are covered in "via places".

How to fill the table?

If you have bus stops to add, make sure you do that in the correct order. Suppose I have to add murugeshpallya to route number 335E. Since it comes between Manipal Hospital and AECS Layout. I will add it in between the two. Then I will add my praja-id under the "revised by" column. Since the bus route is not complete yet the answer to the last column is No. If you think the route is complete change that to yes so that we can get working on that.

335E

Majestic (KBS)

Kadugodi Bus Station

Mayo Hall, Manipal Hospital, Murugeshpallya, AECS Layout, ITPL

          shekhar_mittal  No

 

If you are having trouble adding it urself, just make a comment below this wiki and we will make the changes ourself.

 

Route Origin Destination Via Places Revised by Is it final?

356P

Basavewshwaranagar

Electronic City

Sujatha, Majestic (KBS) Wilson Garden Police Station, Madiwala, Bommanahalli, Electronic City

   

356Q

Majestic (KBS)

Electronic City (Wipro Gate)

Corporation, Lalbagh Main Gate, Southend Circle, Jayanagar Bus tand, Jayanagar 9th East Block, BTM Layout, Bommanahalli, Hosa Road, Electronic City

   

411K

Bannerghatta National Park

Marathahalli Bridge

Gottigere. Meenakshi Temple, Hulimavu Gate, Arekere Gate, IIMB, MICO check post, Dairy Circle, Koramangala 80Ft Road, Dell, Domlur, Kodihalli, Manipal Hospital, Murugeshpalya, HAL Main Gate, HAL Kalyanamantapa

 SB_YPR  No

411L

Shanti Nagar Bus Station

Kadigodi

Siddapura, Hombegowda Police Station, Koramangala 80ft Road, Dell, Domlur, Kodihalli, Manipal Hospital, Murugeshpalya, HAL Main Gate, HAL Kalyanamantapa, Marathahalli Bridge, Kundalahalli Gate, Hope Farm

 SB_YPR  No

500 KR

Kenchenhalli Gate

ITPL

BEML Complex, Hoskerehalli Cross, BSK, BTM Layout, Agara, Kadabisanahalli, Kundanahalli Gate,Sri Sathhya Sai Hospital

   

500D

Hebbala

Central Silk Board

Manyata Tech Park, Nagavara, Hennur Cross, Kalyana Nagar, Channasandra, Tin Factory, K.R.Puram Rly. Station, Marathhalli Bridge, Bellandur, Agara

 SB_YPR  Yes

500DB

Hebbala

Hope Form

Manyata Tech Park, Nagavara, Hennur Cross, Kalyana Nagar, Channasandra, Tin Factory, K.R. Puram Rly. Station, Marathahalli Bridge, Kundalahalli Gate, Sathya Sai Hospital

 SB_YPR  No

500K

Vijayangara

ITPL

Attiguppe, Deepanjalinagar, Nayandahalli, PESIT, Hosakerehalli Cross, Kamakhya, Banashankari, Jayanagar 5th Block, Jayanagar 9th Block, BTM Layout, Agara, Bellandur, Marathahalli, Kundalahalli Gate, Sri Sathya Sai Hospital

 SB_YPR  No
500KG global Village ITPL R.V.College of engineering, Banashankari, BTM, Silk board, agara,Marathahalli    

500KM

Kalyani Magnum (JP Nagar)

ITPL

Jayanagar 9th Block East, SI Apartment (HSR), Agara, Kadabisanahalli, Kundalahalli Gate, Sri Sri Sathya Sai Hospital

   

500KS

Kengeri Housing Board QRTS

Kadugodi Bus Station

RV College, Kattariguppe, BSK, Marathahalli

   

500N

Vijayangara

ITPL

Attiguppe, Deepanjalinagar, Nayandahalli, PESIT, Hosakerehalli Cross, Kamakhya, Banashankari, Jn. of Sarjapura Road, Graphite India Ltd.

 SB_YPR  No
500 NA Slk board ITPL Agara, Bellandur, Marathahalli, Kundalahalli Gate, Graphite India SB_YPR Yes
600M Chikkalasandra Electronic city , Banashankari, BTM, Silk board, Bommanhalli, Singasanrda ss87  
600KC Nagarbhavi BDA complex Electronic city Nayandahalli, Hosakerahalli, Banashankari, BTM, Silk board, Bommanahalli  ss87 No
500NC Banashankari ITPL Graphite India, Marathahalli, Bellandur, agara,Koramangla,Dairy circle,East end ss87 No

500P

Chikkalasandra Bus Station

ITPL

Padamanabhanagar,Devegowda Petrol Bunk,BSK BDA Complex,Mono Type, Corporation,Banashankari

   

500W

ISRO Layout

ITPL

Banashankari, BTM Layout, Jn. of Sarjapura Road, Marathahalli Bridge, Kundala Halli, Graphite India Ltd

   
505 Electronic City ITPL Singasandra, Bommanahalli, Silk board, Agara, Bellandur, Marthahalli ss87 No

505 A

Domlur

Electronic City (Wipro Gate)

Dell IT Complex , Koramangala water Tank, Madiwala, Singhasandra, Konappana Agrahara

   

600K

Vijayangara

Narayana Hrudayalaya

Attiguppe, Deepanjalinagar, Nayandahalli, PESIT, Hosakerehalli Cross, Kamakhya, Banashankari, Jayanagar 5th Block, Jayanagar 9th Block, BTM Layout, Bommanahalli, Konappana Agrahara, Electronic City, Hebbagodi.

 SB_YPR  No

600KA

Vijayangara

Electronic City (PH II)

Vijayanagar, PES College, BSK, BTM Layout, Central Silk Board, Bommanahalli, Electronic City, Electronic city Phase II

   

AttachmentSize
Vajra_Map_1.pdf453.98 KB

BMTC route allottment - sheet attached

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BusPublic Transport

BMTC has recently launched a document providing the red board bus routes an dnumber of buses allocated to it along with the number of trips-though timings havent been provided I think we can make use of it a bit

I have attached the document along with the file-please go through the same

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CITY & SUB-URBAN ROUTES DETAILS -2010.xls492 KB

Case Study: Taking the Bus

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Navshot, digs into his company's efforts at providing a bus service to its employees and comes with some very interesting insights. Amongst other things, he discusses issues in route planning, user expectation, working with BMTC, scalability, quality of service issues and factors influencing them.

 

In general, information provided here may not be accurate, but is a rough sketch of things. This is so because of lack of records or lack of access to the records.

Background/History

Location of the company is C.V.Raman nagar (off old Madras road near  HAL/DRDO/LRDE). The company had contracted out transport services to a private firm.  It ran 6 routes with Swaraj Mazda. The routes covered were (may not be 100% accurate as history is not maintained well):
  • Jayanagar sector (covered Basavanagudi, etc)
  • JP Nagar sector (covered Banashankari, etc)
  • R.T. Nagar sector (covered Cox town, etc)
  • Mathikere sector (covered Malleshwaram, etc)
  • Vijayanagar sector (covered Rajajinagar, etc)
  • BTM layout sector (covered Koramangala, etc)
They had 6 Swaraj Mazdas running two trips each in the morning pickup and two  trips in the evening dropoffs.

Primary disadvantages
  1. Did not cover areas extensively
  2. Since there were only one vehicle per route, the same vehicle had to come back for the second trip: This resulted in uncertain timings for second trip (due to variation in traffic).
  3. Its size was limiting capacity
Hence, there was an initiative to increase the use of company/mass transport, as a wholesome solution to tackle the following:
  1. Personal: lower stress levels, lower fuel bills
  2. Company: lower usage of precious parking space
  3. City: lower the traffic snarls in peak hours
  4. Environment: lower pollution
Study

First phase of study involved a survey to find out the interest for an improved service. Majority showed interest if a company vehicle could be reached within 1 Km from their home. The survey also found that
  • over 70% of the people stay less than 8km from office
  • over 60% stay less than 5km from office
  • around 60% use cars for daily commute
The second phase was to actually locate each and every employee's residence.  MapMyIndia services were used where each employee could login, zoom in and mark where he/she wanted to board the bus (typically the nearest main road which was accessible by a bus).

Design/Planning

Primary objective was to cover maximum employees.

A "draft" set of routes were created that covered close to 100% (maybe around  96-98% in reality) of employees who disclosed their location. A team of  volunteers was created with atleast a couple from each of these routes.

In case where the preferred stop of an employee was not on the route, they were contacted and asked about feasibility for them to use a location on the route. Where ever feasible, routes were re-aligned to cover more employees.

Each of these sub-teams (one team per route) did a reality check and timing. They went in a cab measuring time. Based on this, they published start time and arrival at each of the stops.

Meanwhile, after rounds of talks and negotiations, BMTC was chosen as the  vendor. Some of the advantages with BMTC was:
  • Flexible (Surprise! Surprise!!)
  • Cost effective
  • Scalable
Based on cost/benefit analysis and other data, two trips of pickup and two trips of dropoff were planned.

The whole process was so tailored that the service could ultimately be  broadened to other companies in the neighbourhood and admin run by the  technology park developer where these companies reside.

Implementation

In all there were 11 routes to begin with that served long routes. Short  routes (of less than 8km) were served by Swaraj Mazdas of the existing private service provider.

The bus timings were fixed keeping in mind that it had to reach office by around 8:30AM/9:30AM for two trips. Evening trips started based on distance to the final destination (longer the route, earlier the start). But later it was scrapped and all the buses starting time 5:30PM/7:30PM respectively for first/second trips.

Route details are given in below.

After about an year's successful (maybe only partially) run, the complete administration of running this service was handed over to the developer of the tech. park that anyway maintains other services.

As of now, there are a total of five companies using this service. Since there was a dramatic increase in volume for some of the routes, one extra trip were added for such routes. Some new routes were created too and there are now a total of 14 routes that is served by BMTC.

A monthly charge of around Rs. 1450 is charged per person.

Issues

  1. Since coverage was given a priority, some of the routes were long. For example, the route destined to Yelahanka had to go via Cox town,  R.T. Nagar, Sanjaynagar and Vidhyaranyapura. Currently it stays as a single route as the volume is not enough to split it into two routes. As per the latest calculation, 30 users have to be there for the route to break even (given that there are two trips each in the morning and evening). Due to this, time taken to reach Yelahanka is sometimes as high as two hours in the evenings.
  2. Even though top management at BMTC is extremely corporate-type and flexible to customers, the middle management is still the same depot managers who are slow to respond. This is occationally shown as delay in bus arrival in the mornings and that very rarely don't turn up at all.
  3. Due to low volume for some of the routes, there are only two trips. Ideally, there should have been a trip once an hour barring afternoon. For example, multiple trips each at 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00 in the mornings and 4:30, 5:30, 6:30, 7:30 and 8:30 in the evenings. For this kind of frequncy to be viable, I guess the volumes have to tripple from the current ones.
  4. Since many companies are using the service, the whole system has lost a bit of flexibility. Some companies encourage flexi-time working and some others strictly enforce working hours (start of working hours that is. No restriction on end of working hours, as long as its later than 5:30PM!!!). One can know where it all leads to when the service has to be expanded and improved.
  5. The BMTC service served only longer distanced well. For those who stayed closer (less than 5 km), who were majority, it didn't serve well. Even shorter routes (covered by private) failed to make it  attractive. The reason: Most had to walk 5 mins to the stop, wait  another 5 mins and travel for 15 mins. Whereas, if they took their own vehicle, they could reach in 5-15 mins.

Misc. information

  1. As stated above, the top management of BMTC were surprisingly found to be more flexible than some of the other private guys. They agreed  to many special requests and were also very quick in responses. Very corporate like.
  2. Cost of running big BMTC buses are cheaper than Swaraj Mazdas!! It maybe because of BMTC's own service and repair division. Also, it might be because the buses, in the off hours, can be run on its own regular routes to generate more revenue.
  3. Each trip has a different bus, so first trip bus need not worry  about getting back to cover the second trip.
  4. From the current running, it seems there are no major issues. There is a variation of about 5-15 minutes in the mornings - mostly due to traffic conditions. 90% of the time the variation is around 5 mintues. In the evenings on the other hand, the variation is between 5 to 30 minutes to reach destination. Most of the time the variation is around 10 minutes (invariably late by 10 minutes). Ofcourse, this is dependent on the route. This data is derived after looking at a couple of routes for about a month.
  5. Another interesting observation on commute time in the evenings: Invariably, the bus arrives at destination later in winter/rainy days and earlier in summer's sunny days. One of the reason could be that, more people start moving towards home once its dark - and it gets dark sooner in winter. And, on rainy days, no need to explain - it would end up in multiple jams due to flooding and slow movement of vehicles.
 

Taking the bus: Pick up routes

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data courtesy navshot.

Route Number :R01      
Route Name: Koramangala Pick up
BTM Layout Bus stand 7:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:30 AM
Maruthi Nagar BTM Lyt stg 1 via Advaith petrol bunk 7:38 AM 8:08 AM 8:38 AM
St.John's Hospital 7:42 AM 8:12 AM 8:42 AM
CG Corel(Aiswarya dept stores) 7:46 AM 8:16 AM 8:46 AM
Raheja residency 7:48 AM 8:18 AM 8:48 AM
Sukh sagar 7:52 AM 8:22 AM 8:52 AM
Vinayaka temple 7:54 AM 8:25 AM 8:55 AM
Bethany School 7:56 AM 8:27 AM 8:57 AM
National games village ( 80 ft road) 7:58 AM 8:29 AM 8:59 AM
Sonyworld 8:00 AM 8:34 AM 9:04 AM
Egipura signal 8:02 AM 8:36 AM 9:06 AM
Hero Honda Signal 8:06 AM 8:41 AM 9:11 AM
BTP 8:22 AM 9:04 AM 9:35 AM
       
Route Number :R02      
Route Name: IIMB Pick up
Meenakshi Temple  7:20 AM 7:50 AM  8:15 AM 
Arakere 7:23 AM 7:55 AM  8:20 AM
IIM B 7:25 AM 8:00 AM  8:25 AM
Bannergatta Main Road (Near HoneyWell) 7:26 AM 8:01 AM  8:26 AM
Ranka Colony 7:27 AM 8:03 AM  8:28 AM
Delmia SW 7:29 AM 8:05 AM  8:30 AM
VET school 7:30 AM 8:08 AM  8:33 AM
Divakar hospital 7:32 AM 8:10 AM  8:35 AM
RelQ( JP nagar) 7:33 AM 8:13 AM  8:38 AM
Shoppers Stop 7:34 AM 8:14 AM  8:39 AM
BTM water tank 7:37 AM 8:18 AM  8:43 AM
BTP 8:20 AM 9:00 AM  9:25 AM
       
Route Number :R03      
Route Name: HSR Layout Pick up
Bommanahalli Junction  7:30 AM - 8:45 AM
Silk Board flyover 7:33 AM - 8:48 AM
5th Main ORR junction 7:34 AM - 8:49 AM
HSR BDA complex, 14th Main 7:36 AM - 8:51 AM
17th Main, 17th Cross 7:37 AM - 8:52 AM
19th Main, 22nd Cross 7:40 AM - 8:55 AM
24th Main, 22nd Cross 7:42 AM - 8:57 AM
27th Main, NIFT 7:43 AM - 8:58 AM
27th Main, Meenakshi Apartments 7:44 AM - 9:00 AM
27th Main, ORR junction 7:46 AM - 9:02 AM
SunCity, ORR 7:48 AM - 9:04 AM
Sarjapura Road (Shobha Garnet Apts) 7:49 AM - 9:05 AM
Bellandur 7:50 AM - 9:07 AM
Intel 7:52 AM - 9:09 AM
Innovative Multiplex(Salarpuria Supreme) 7:58 AM - 9:15 AM
Marathahalli (bridge) 8:00 AM - 9:17 AM
Martahalli market 8:01 AM - 9:18 AM
BTP 8:22 AM - 9:30 AM
       
Route Number :R04      
Route Name: Anjanapura Pick up
J.P.Nagar 9th phase - Anjanapura Bus Stop  7:17 AM - 8:05 AM
Konankunte Old Bank Colony - Bus Stop 7:22 AM - 8:10 AM
Konankunte Old Police Station 7:23 AM - 8:11 AM
Family Mart Circle 7:28 AM - 8:20 AM
J.P.Nagar 6th Phase - Bus Stop 7:32 AM - 8:23 AM
JP Nagar 15th Cross Circle (UTI ATM) 7:35 AM - 8:27 AM
Raghavendra Mutt Circle 7:38 AM - 8:33 AM
Shanti Poly Clinic 7:40 AM - 8:35 AM
Cool Joint 7:45 AM - 8:40 AM
Jayanagar 3rdBlock 7:50 AM - 8:50 AM
Ashoka Pillar 7.57 AM - 8.57 AM
KH Road Bus stand 8.05 AM - 9.10 AM
BTP 8:20 AM - 9:30 AM
       
Route Number :R05      
Route Name: Chikkalasandra Pick up
Chikkalsandra( Brigade Apartments)  7:22 AM - 8:20 AM
Banashankari 3rd Stage After Indian oil Pentrol Pump(H S Cyber Centre) ) 7:25 AM - 8:23 AM
Banashankari 3rd Stage ( SBI Bank ATM ) 7:28 AM - 8:25 AM
Devegowda Petrol Pump 7:29 AM - 8:29 AM
Banashankari 2nd Stage(Prashanth Nursing Home (Next to UTI Bank ATM)) 7:31 AM - 8:31 AM
BSK BDA Complex ( park) 7:34 AM - 8:34 AM
In Front of Monotype bus stop 7:38 AM - 8:37 AM
KR Road (Uma Maheshwari Temple). 7:40 AM - 8:40 AM
Garadi Apartments 7:42 AM - 8:42 AM
Natkallappa Circle ( Infront of Canara Bank staff training centre) 7:44 AM - 8:45 AM
SRS Petrol Pump 7:46 AM - 8:48 AM
R.V.Teacher College 7:48 AM - 8:52 AM
Ashoka Pillar 7:50 AM - 8:54 AM
Wilson garden post office 7:55 AM - 9:04 AM
Doubble Road (Infront of Depot) 8:00 AM - 9:10 AM
BTP 8:20 AM - 9:40 AM
       
Route Number :R06      
Route Name: Basaveswaranagar Pick up
Pavithra Paradise  7:30 AM 8:00 AM 8:30 AM
Basveshwara 8th Main 7:32 AM 8:02 AM 8:32 AM
Water Tank 7:34 AM 8:04 AM 8:34 AM
Shankar Mutt 7:36 AM 8:06 AM 8:36 AM
Mahalakshmipuram (GD Naidu hall road) 7:38 AM 8:08 AM 8:38 AM
RajajiNagar 1st Block 7:40 AM 8:12 AM 8:42 AM
RajajiNagar 16th Cross 7:42 AM 8:14 AM 8:44 AM
KLE college 7:43 AM 8:17 AM 8:47 AM
Rajajinagar Old Police Station 7:45 AM 8:18 AM 8:49 AM
Rama Mandir 7:47 AM 8:21 AM 8:51 AM
BTP 8:20 AM 9:00 AM 9:30 AM
       
       
Route Number :R07      
Route Name: Jalahalli Pick up
Bagalkunte (Widia School)  7:10 AM - 8:10 AM
8th Mile 7:15 AM - 8:15 AM
Dasarahalli 7:18 AM - 8:18 AM
Jalahalli cross 7:20 AM - 8:20 AM
BEL Circle 7:30 AM - 8:30 AM
Gokula 7:35 AM - 8:35 AM
Mathikere 7:39 AM - 8:40 AM
Yeshwantpura TOLL Gate (boarding for all Yeshwantpura passengers). 7:42 AM - 8:45 AM
Malleswaram 15th cross ( veena stores) 7:49 AM - 8:52 AM
Malleswaram circle 7:52 AM - 8:57 AM
Seshadri puram 7:55 AM - 9:05 AM
Gutahalli 7:57 AM - 9:08 AM
Cantonment Station 8:00 AM - 9:13 AM
Ulsoor lake (Foto Flash) 8:10 AM - 9:23 AM
BTP 8:20 AM - 9:45 AM
       
Route Number :R08      
Route Name: Vijayanagar Pick up
GKW layout bus stand  7:05 AM 7:45 AM 8:15 AM
Chandra Layout Bus Stand 7:10 AM 7:50 AM 8:20 AM
Nagarbhavi Circle 7:15 AM 7:55 AM 8:25 AM
Canara Bank Colony 7:19 AM 7:59 AM 8:29 AM
Moodalapalya Bus stop (seetharam kalyana mantap) 7:23 AM 8:03 AM 8:33 AM
Saraswathi Nagar Bus Stop 7:25 AM 8:05 AM 8:35 AM
Indian bank 7:27 AM 8:07 AM 8:37 AM
Vijayanagar Exchange 7:30 AM 8:11 AM 8:41 AM
Vijayanagar bus stand 7:32 AM 8:13 AM 8:43 AM
Maruthi temple 7:35 AM 8:15 AM 8:45 AM
5th main crossing Hampi nagar 7:37 AM 8:18 AM 8:48 AM
Attiguppe ( Near chandralayout petrol pump) 7:40 AM 8:21 AM 8:51 AM
Deepanjali nagar 7:42 AM 8:23 AM 8:53 AM
Bapujinagar Bustand 7:44 AM 8:25 AM 8:55 AM
Sirsi Circle ( Burial ground ) 7:46 AM 8:28 AM 8:58 AM
In front of Bangalore Club (rich mond circle) 7:56 AM 8:40 AM 9:10 AM
Via Residency road, MG road, Ulsoor lake 8:10 8:45 AM 9:05 AM
BTP 8:20 AM 9:05 AM 9:30 AM
       
Route Number :R09      
Route Name: Yelhanka Pick up
Yelahanka police Station Circle  7:05 AM - 8:05 AM
Yelhanka new town main bus stop 7:15 AM - 8:15 AM
Vidyaranyapura Last bus stop 7:25 AM - 8:25 AM
Vidyaranyapura SBI 7:27 AM - 8:27 AM
Vidyaranyapura first bus stop 7:29 AM - 8:29 AM
Doddabomsandra Petrol bunk 7:31 AM - 8:32 AM
Kuvempu circle 7:36 AM - 8:40 AM
Gowri apts ( new BEL road) 7:38 AM - 8:41 AM
Sanjay nagar Janata bazar 7:43 AM - 8:46 AM
Sanjay nagar water tank 7:44 AM - 8:47 AM
CBI 7:48 AM - 8:51 AM
RT nagar police station 7:50 AM - 8:53 AM
RT Nagar HDFC bank 7:52 AM - 8:55 AM
JC nagar Police station 7:57 AM - 9:00 AM
Nandi durg road ( Airtel) 7:59 AM - 9:02 AM
Coles park 8:03 AM - 9:06 AM
Frazer town post office 8:04 AM - 9:08 AM
East Station 8:06 AM - 9:10 AM
Cox town circle 8:08 AM - 9:11 AM
Isolation hospital 8:23 AM - 9:28 AM
BTP 8:30 AM - 9:45 AM
       
Route Number :R10      
Route Name: ITPL Pick up
Railway Gate Near Sai Baba Ashram  7:25 AM - 8:35 AM
Whitefield ( Mayura Bakery ) 7:30 AM - 8:40 AM
Hope farm Circle 7:32 AM - 8:42 AM
Adarsh palm Meadows 7:35 AM - 8:45 AM
Kundanhalli circle 7:40 AM - 8:50 AM
AECS Centre 1st stage 7:43 AM - 8:53 AM
AECS Centre 2nd stage 7:45 AM - 8:55 AM
HLL office 7:47 AM - 8:57AM
BEML Layout 7:50 AM - 9:00 AM
Marthahalli 7:58 AM - 9:09 AM
BTP 8:20 AM - 9:35 AM
       
Route Number :R11      
Route Name:Sahakar Nagar Pick up
Nagar -Police Out Post  7:25 AM - 8:25AM 
Sahakar Nagar -Big Bazar (Yelhanka main road) 7:30 AM - 8:30AM
Hebbal Flyover 7:35 AM - 8:35 AM
Nagwara circle 7:40 AM - 8:45 AM
Hennur ring road junction 7:45 AM - 8:55 AM
Jal vayu vihar 7:50 AM - 9:00 AM
East point college 7:55 AM - 9:03 AM
Babusapalaya Bus stop 7:58 AM - 9:10 AM
Banaswadi Ring Road (Near Bagini) 8:00 AM - 9:13 AM
Rammurthy nagar cross ( Tamrind) 8:02 AM - 9:15 AM
Kasturinagar Water tank 8:07 AM - 9:20 AM
Kasturi nagar 2nd main cross 8:10 AM - 9:23 AM
4th main bus stop railway parallel road ( sadandnagar) 8:12 AM - 9:25 AM
NGEF layout Railway parallel road ( old level crossing) 8:15 AM - 9:32 AM
BTP 8:20 AM - 9:45 AM
       
Route Number :R19      
Route Name:Rajarajeswari Nagar Pick up
Beml Layout Bus Stand  7:25 AM 8:00 AM 8:15 AM
R.R.Nagar Temple(Aladhmara Stop) 7:28 AM 8:04 AM 8:18 AM
Nayandahalli Bus Stand 7:33 AM 8:09 AM 8:25 AM
Janata bazaar 7:38 AM 8:15 AM 8:33 AM
Food World 7:41 AM 8:18 AM 8:36 AM
Hoskerehalli Corss 7:45 AM 8:23 AM 8:40 AM
Sita circle 7:46 AM 8:25 AM 8:43 AM
Bank Colony Bus Stop 7:47 AM 8:26 AM 8:45 AM
Srinivas nagar bus stop 7:48 AM 8:28 AM 8:47 AM
Hanumanth nagar Vesp Show room 7:50 AM 8:32 AM 8:55 AM
Gavipuram( Syndicate Bank) 7:53 AM 8:35 AM 8:58 AM
Rama Krishna Ashram 7:55 AM 8:36 AM 9:00 AM
Chamraj Pet (Uma Theatre) 7:57 AM 8:37 AM 9:03 AM
BTP 8:20 AM 9:30 AM 9:45 AM
       
Route Number :R20      
Route Name: BTM Pick up
BTM 2nd Stage Bus stop(Maheadeshwar Nagar)  7:37 A.M  - 8:40 A.M 
Udupi Garden 7:39 A.M - 8:45 A.M
Gangotri circle 7:41 A.M - 8:48 A.M
Maruthinagar 7th Cross 7:43 A.M - 8:51 A.M
Airtel Office 7:45 A.M - 8:54 A.M
Kormangala BDA complex 7:55 A.M - 9:00 A.M
Ejipura singnal 7:59 A.M - 9:05 A.M
BTP 8:35 A.M - 9:23 A.M
       
       
Route Number :R21      
Route Name: ISRO Layout Pick up
ISRO layout BMTC bus stop  7:20 AM - 8:15 AM
Kumarswamy Layout 7:25 AM - 8:20 AM
Dayanand Sagar College 7:30 AM - 8:25 AM
Kadirenahalli Cross 7:33 AM - 8:30 AM
Banashankari Temple 7:38 AM - 8:33 AM
Rajalakshmi Nursing Home 7:41 AM - 8:38 AM
Raghavendra Mutt Circle 7:43 AM - 8:40 AM
Ragi Gudda 7:45 AM - 8:43 AM
East End Circle 7:47 AM - 8:45 AM
Carmel Convent 7:50 AM - 8:48 AM
Sagar Automobiles(via diary circle) 7:53 AM - 8:52 AM
Adugodi Signal (Near Mico) via Diary Circle 7:57 AM - 8:58 AM
BTP 8:25 AM - 9:30 AM

Routes introduced after February 2010

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Following routes came into existence after the first bus day in Bangalore City by BMTC

  • 7H: Jayanagar 4th block-->Wilson garden-->Austin town-->Viveknagar-->Austin Town-->NGV-->Koramangla water tank-->BTM
  • 201MA: St.Johns-->Koramangla water tank-->DELL-->Indiranagar 100 ft road-->Jeevanbhimanagar
  • 201RC A/C suvarna: Chikkalasandra-->Banashankari-->Silk board-->Dell-->Indiranagar 100ft road-->C.V.Raman nagar
  • 201S: Banashankari-->BTM-->Silk board-->Forum-->Ulsoor-->Indiranagar-->Domlur
  • 201U: AGS Layout-->Banashankari-->BTM-->Silk board-->DELL-->Indiranagar 100ft road-->Byappanhalli
  • 201V: Jayanagar 4th block-->BTM-->Silk board-->Koramangla-->Neelasandra
  • Volvo 373G: Srinagar-->Hanumanthanagar-->Basavanagudi-->Jayanagar-->BTM-->Silk board-->Electronic City
  • 375B: Kengeri Shirke-->Kengeri-->Uttarahalli-->Chikkalasandra-->Banashankari-->Jayanagar 4th block-->Shantinagar bus stand
  • BIAS-8A: BTM-->Silk board-->Agara-->Marathahalli-->K.R.Puram-->Hebbal->Airport
  • 378: Kengeri Shirke-->Kengeri-->Uttarahalli-->Chikkalsandra-->Konanakunte cross-->Gottigere-->Koli farm-->Neeladri amusement park-->WIPRO-->Electronic city gate
  • 410D: Bharath nagar-->Sunkadgatte-->K.H.B.Colony magadi road-->Vijayanagar-->PES-->Hosakerahalli-->Banashankari-->BTM-->Silk board-->Electronic City
  • Volvo 500NC: Banashankari-->East end-->Dairy circle-->Agara-->Marathahalli-->ITPL
  • 600G: Chandapura-->Electronic city-->Silk board-->BTM-->Banashankari-->Kumaraswamy layout second stage
  • 600FA: Banashankari-->BTM-->Silk board-->Bommanhalli-->Electronic city-->Jigani
  • Volvo 600Q: Banashankari-->Jayanagar 4th block-->BTM-->Silk board-->Electronic city

The Big10 routing concept

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A book to group together posts that uncover Big10 related routing reform initiated at BMTC. Big10 is seen as an attempt to rationalize BMTC's routing scheme. Simply put, the concept consists of radial routes connecting peripheral areas with central business district, and the rings or local shuttles could provide angular or last mile connectivity. Concept may grow to be a success, or may not live on, regardless, good to keep a record of all Big10 talk here.

BIG10, KSOL, KSBL - Route Details

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BIG10, KSOL, KSBL - Route Details
Sl No Route No From To Via Places No. Schedules
1 BIG10-1 Police Housing Corporation Kadugodi Bus Station Domlur, HAL Main Gate, Marath Halli 14
2 BIG10-2 ST.Patrick Church Electronic City Madiwala, Singasandra, Electronic City Infosys Parking Launge 19
3 BIG10-3 M.G.ROAD(POLICE HOUSING CORP) DOMMASANDRA Domlur, Jakkasandra, Agara, Bellandur Gate, Kaikondarahalli, Kodatigate, Chandapura Cross 8
4 BIG10-4 BRIGADE ROAD BANNERGHATTA NATIONAL PARK Mico Factory Junction, Bangalore Dairy Circle, Belekalli, Gottigere, Basavanapura 8
5 BIG10-5 CORPORATION KAGGALIPURA Lalbagh main gate, Vijya college/South end circle, Banashankari, Jaraganahalli Cross, Talaghattapura, Shani Mahatma Temple 10
6 BIG10-6 KENGERI HOUSING BOARD QURTS CORPORATION OFFICE K.R.Market, Sirsi Circle, M.C.T.C. Bus Station, Bangalore University, R.V.Eng. College, Kengeri, Hoysala Circle 8
7 BIG10-7 KEMPEGOWDA BUS STATION GOLLARAHATTI MAGADI ROAD, KHB COLONY, KAMAKSHIPALYA, KOTTIGE PALYA, SUNKADA KOTTE, BYDRAHALLI 7
8 BIG10-8 NELAMANGALA BRV PARADE GROUND Sivaji Nagar/Indian Express, Jalahalli Cross/Dasarahalli, Binnamangala 12
9 BIG10-9

Yelahanka Nes

BRV Parede Ground Sivaji Nagar/Indian Express, Vasantha Nagar/Cont .RLY STN, Hebbal 8
10 BIG10-10 K.R.PURAM TRINITY CIRCLE Halsoor, Isolation Hospitol, Bennigana Halli, K.R.Pura Rly STN 4
11 KSBL Police Housing Corporation Office Police Housing Corporation Office Richmond Circle, M.G.Statue, East Parade Church 3
12 KSOL Bangalore Club Bangalore Club The Taj Residency Hotel, Halasuru Road(HCL Off), C.S.Cricket Stadium 3

 

Place First Bus Last Bus
K.R.PURAM 0840 1905
TRINITY CIRCLE 0800 1825

 

Place First Bus Last Bus
ST.PATRICK CHURCH 0730 2120
ELECTRONIC CITY 0850 2220

 

Place First Bus Last Bus
M.G.ROAD(POLICE HOUSING CORP) 0730 1805
DOMMASANDRA 0730 1915

 

Place First Bus Last Bus
BRIGADE ROAD 0600 2200
BANNERGHATTA NATIONAL PARK 0620 2125

 

Place First Bus Last Bus
KEMPEGOWDA BUS STATION 0830 1900
GOLLARAHATTI 0730 1800

 

Place First Bus Last Bus
NELAMANGALA 0600 1945
BRV PARADE GROUND 0730 2115

 

Place First Bus Last Bus
Yelahanka Nes 0630 2120
BRV Parede Ground 0730 2030

 

Place First Bus Last Bus
K.R.PURAM 0840 1905
TRINITY CIRCLE 0800 1825

 

Place First Bus Last Bus
CORPORATION 0620 2100
KAGGALIPURA 0540 2205
place First Bus Last Bus
KENGERI HOUSING BOARD QURTS 0730 1925
CORPORATION OFFICE 0730 2030

BMTC - S1 Route (Vijayanagar to Vijayanagar)

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Saw these buses plying on outer ring road near BTM layout yesterday & today.

Looks like an extension of Big10 concept, Big10 to Circle Routes to S (not sure what it stands for) routes?

Surprisingly, while the BMTC call center did not have any detail to offer, the buses seemed to quite fully loaded!. I got bumped from the call center guy to the control room to Vijayanagar Bus Stand (22952362). All were cordial, willing to help, but had no info to offer.

BMTC Big 10 and HOHO service: work in progess?

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BMTC is prepping 140 buses ready for ABIDe's Big 10 proposal in addition to suggesting Volvos be used for the HOHO service. Does this mean that BMTC will remove/reduce current bus services operating on the 'Big 10' ? Although unlikely, this would the first step towards the rezoning principle talked about on praja by narayan82 and kbsyed (here and here).

Full story here: http://www.hindu.com/2009...

transmogrifier

Bellary Road Big 10

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Information first, cribs later! I finally managed to decode the mystery named Bellary Road Big 10. This one operates between Shivajinagar bus stand and Yelahanka. The route as I understand right now is:
 
From Shivajinagar bus stand - Indian Express Circle - Cunningham Road - Millers Road - Jayamahal Road - TV Tower, Mekhri Circle - CBI - Hebbal - Bytarayanapura - Yelahanka NES
 
From Yelahanka NES - Byatarayanapura - Hebbal - CBI - Mekhri Circle - TV Tower - Nandidurg Road - Cantonment Rly Station - Indian Express - Minsk Square - Cubbon Road - Central Street - Shivajinagar bus stand
 
I have been waiting for this service for a while now and when it finally happened, I have more cribs than positives to talk about. BMTC once again proved that they can be the worst when it comes to implementing a great vision. Here are my observations:
 

  1. It doesn't overlap with the Kendra Saarige at all! Somehow BMTC doesn't understand the need for an integrated transport system. If I take a Big 10 from Yelahanka and my final destination is Richmond circle, I have to negotiate the crowded Shivajinagar area to get on to a Blue or Orange line. The whole vision of the HO-HOs and Big 10s was great and I am wondering why the people who came up with the vision were not involved when it came to implementation. If indeed they were involved, why were the details completely missed out? It doesn't take too much to come up with a route that integrates Ho-Ho and Big10. For example, if the Bellary Road Big10 goes straight from Minsk Square to Jewels De Paragon (instead of turning left on Cubbon Road) and turns left on MG road towards Anil Kumble Circle and takes another left on to Central Street to proceed towards Shivajinagar, it will end up integrating the Blue and Orange lines very well. It will hardly add a kilometer and a half to the distance. I am sure such tweaks can be made to other Big 10 routes to seamlessly integrate with the Ho-Hos. Otherwise we will see these buses running empty as nobody in their right minds would even think of trying it.
  2. There is absolutely no information anywhere on these services. I wanted to find out about the Bellary road Big 10 and it took sheer determination to finally succeed. I spotted a couple of these buses on Tuesday (10th March) morning while on my way to work. So I decided that I will try to get in one on my way back. Tried calling the BMTC helpline and got the message that the number doesn't exist. I left my office near UB City on Vittal Mallya road and got on a Blue line, checked with the crew, but they haven't even heard of such a thing. Since I remembered seeing Shivajinagar on the Big10 bus route board in the morning, I got down at the Cubbon Road - Central Street junction and walked to Shivajinagar bus stand. Whoever I asked around, didn't have a clue as to what a Big 10 is! I did a couple of back and forth trips between Cubbon Road and Shivajinagar bus stand and finally managed to spot one!
  3. I was expecting the fare to be in multiples of five. When I asked for a ticket from Shivajinagar to GKVK, the conductor came up with a fare of 12 rupees. In my broken Kannada I posed a question to him as to whether the fare is in multiples of 5. He took out a sheet and stared at it for nearly 10 minutes, flipped around, and finally said 12 rupees kodi saar. He gave me two tickets of 6 rupee denominations! Why was the conductor not trained on the fare structure? Why the hell was he carrying tickets of any denomination other than 5s? I understand that there was an exhaustive study done on fares and arrived at the pricing structure for Big10s. Does this mean that all the time, money, and effort spent in coming up with the fare structure was a mere exercise to waste public money?
  4. I can’t comment on the frequency of Big 10s. On one day I saw 2 of them back to back. The other day I waited in Shivajinagar bus stand close to half an hour and couldn’t get one.

All my excitement around using public transport as a commute mechanism has evaporated a lot faster than I imagined. It is taking sheer will power and tons of patience to continue to resist the temptation of getting behind the wheels again!

Big10 - 5 things to build upon BMTC's direction-based rework

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What's your Bangalore Bus dream? I will tell you mine. Take local area bus to get to nearest Large bus stop in your sub-urb or locality. Or take your car to the Park And Ride Plaza in your sub-urb. Then change to a Big10. Dedicated lanes at places make sure you feel good about watching the cars wait in jams and chaos. Get down close to your office, then switch to Last Mile shuttle to reach office. Carry your bicycle on odd days, or try autos or taxis if you miss the local shuttle or are in a rush.

This is more like continuation of some comments on this crib about incomplete incomplete Big10/Circle routing work. Since BMTC is hard at work these days, if we talk doable suggestions and sense, good chance that some of these may get implemented. So let us put on our constructive hats and go.

So far, many of us here buy into the circular grid with direction-based radial and circular routes. Of the 12 Big10 routes, most are doing well we hear. 3 or more Circular routes in operation now. Some pictures to illustrate what we talk and understand of the eventual system that could be tried here.

Here is one picture.

And here is another.

What are the big next steps needed now?

The List

Disclaimer: Talk at city level, use personal needs as examples, not summaries. Also, there is nothing new in this top-5 list, its only a distillation/summary of various recent discussions. Only value I am adding is - listing them in order of priority, and this ordering is based on small little surveys I keep doing with my friends, colleagues etc.

1. Last Mile

There are several ways of improving on this.

  1. Shuttles to major job centers from nearest stops on Radial or Circular route.
  2. Regular Metered Autos - either by deregulation, or by tighter regulation. but Autos have an important role to play. I know its hard to do, but still.
  3. Bike Rentals, or Bike carrying facilities in Buses. (happening already at E-City etc, so good start)
  4. Better pavements to manage 1-1.5 Km long last mile walks (happening already in some areas)

2. Easy bus to bus interchange

Improve select junctions, because direction based routing would require many to change the bus to get to their destination

  1. Change involves wait, so larger/better shelters
  2. Change involves walk, reduce the walks by placing bus stops closer to each other
  3. Super solid and wide pavements at these interchange points (tried already at Marathahalli/ORR, but was half-hearted job)

3. Park and Ride Plaza

Need these at Suburbs, essentially at entry point to CBD from sub-urbs. These would most likely be points in the vicinity of Outer Ring Road. Ex: Park at Marathahalli Plaza, and take the Bus, as the area has buses to almost anywhere in Bangalore.

  1. This has been tried, yes, TTMCs (they are not meant to provide zero capex parking facilities to shop-owners in commercial areas), but result is different from the original goal.
  2. Empty Air-space above major intersections could provide the space. Take ORR/Airport Road cross at Marathahalli. That intersection is 120 ft by 120 ft block of road space or more. Think 5 floors above it. You get 72000 sqft. Take out 30% for driveway etc, you get 50000 sqft. At  64 sqft per car, 3 2-wheelers, you can take 780 cars or 2340 2-wheelers in here.
  3. Your BMTC Bus pass would be the entry key to these Park and Ride plazas.

4. Bus speeding at select stretches

Things like dedicated lanes just before crowded signals, or bus-only 15 second signals at large junctions, or "fast buses" with fewer stops.

  1. Priority services operate only during commute hour, not at all times.
  2. Magic-Box etc to make Buses by-pass some signals also a possibility

5. Local area services

This is slightly different from Last Mile shuttles. Instead of variants of same route to cover multiple roads near the origin and destination (like 333E vs 335A, or 333P vs 335E), run dedicated local area services to connect deeper areas to major bus stops. Helps with last mile also, and would make you and me take the bus even for our evening Foodworld and Foodbazaar trips.

Thats it?

Well, not really. But you would need to stop this summary/motherhood post here, because let us:

  • Try put a top 5, and not a large laundary list.
  • Avoid listing the basics like passenger information system, clean buses, stop near bus stands etc. These things are low hanging fruits. If above 5 can be done, the basics would anyway get the attention and coverage.

So here it is, an attempt at a prioratized summary. If there is interest, we can expand on each of the five items via separate detailed posts.

Big10 concept - Circle Routes are here?

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I have been seeing these new routes marked C-1 (for Circle 1 ?) for a few weeks now. Was waiting for some crisp annnouncement or press release, haven't noticed anything big yet, so posting.

Pretty colorful body, so much so that when I asked a few waiting passengers near Intel, they thought it was some private bus. Once you read the sign board carefully - 500 something - you may not have this confusion.

So will all the 500 routes get merged into this C-1? I haven't noticed any route merges (333P, 333E etc) on the Big10 routes yet, but this one may be different - 500D could simply be converted into C-1. Merging other 500 extensions may not happen sooon enough, though we know that converting major points on Outer Ring Road into bus exchange points (get off Circle route, get into a Big10, or a local route) will be the way to go.

Lets wait to see and hear more.

Extend or overlap BIG 10 services

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I happened to travel via shivajinagar instead of taking the bus to KBS to reach domlur from sanjay nagar. I reached indian express hoping to get 331-A. It did come but it was already full and around 10 more people got in to the bus. The bus was literally full with just about people managing to find place to stand. On the way I say two BIG-10s which were with more than half their seats unoccupied.  Doesn't it make sense to extend BIG-10 running on arirport road toll indian express or shivajinagar? The Yalahanka BIG-10 seems to be doing good after extending it till shivajinagar. I cannot comment on other BIG-10s since I have never used them.

And I don't think I have to say anything on Blue-line and Orange-line buses. It is an idea which has completely gone wrong.

HOHO off to a slow start

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Saw this in this morning's DH.  Not surprised that it is off to a slow start. 

http://www.deccanherald.com/Content/Feb112009/city20090211117812.asp

'“We have no collection at all. Throughout the day we have got only Rs 30 by ferrying the distance,” said the driver of a Kendriya Sarige bus service.'.

'Nearly 66 buses in two opposite directions, namely the Blueline and the Orangeline buses, will ply the inner city roads.'

I will be helping the first point on Saturday.  Why don't we do our Praja meeting at Cubbon Park/MG Road after taking one of these buses?

66 is a lot of buses.  Do we need a Red Line (not the Delhi one), and a Green line as well.  4 CBD routes can be possible with 15 buses on each route some shorter and some longer with overlapping stops to change.  The "shopping" stretch of MG Road has to be covered; buses should go from Richmond Road towards Residency Road and Mayo Hall.  Is Volvo overkill for this - all this needs is those Jet Airways style buses at the airport - lots of standing place and lots of glass.

SB - any hopes of having a discussion with Prof Ramesh and RK on this?  This is an excellent concept and should not be shut down because of lack of revenues. 

Srivathsa

My experiment with the Sarjapura road Big10

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I noticed that they have started Big 10 services to Sarjapura road, which takes the following route :

Dommasandra -> Sarjapur signal -> Jakkasandra -> right to Wipro Koramangala -> left to BDA complex -> right to Sony World junction -> Domlur -> M G ROad Police Housing Corporation

Route details are updated in BMTC website, and it shows 15 minutes frequency.

Today i decided to to try one. I wanted to go to Sony world junction from Sarjapur signal. I got a bus without any problem.

For the return journey , at around 12:20 pm, i went at waited at the sony world junction (towards BDA complex road) hoping that the bus would come straight (as it had on the onward journey) To my dismay, a bus came at around 12:35 which took a left turn to 80ft road.

Not knowing which way the bus will turn, I went and waited on the inner ring road side of the junction, hoping to stop the bus before it reached the junction. The next bus turned up at 1:05 pm. It did not stop, because it was green signal and it went straight on the road to BDA complex road!!

OK. Now, i know the bus is not supposed to take a left turn at the junction, and went back to the original position. I kept waiting till 2 pm, and no Big 10 came. There was no bus waiting shed, and the scorching sun forced to terminate my Big 10 experiment.

I hope these are just initial hiccups, and I will continue to use these services.

A couple of points to BMTC:

  1. The bus timings need to be updated int he web site. (I saw an average freuncy of more than 30 mintes, whereas it is shown as 15 in the BMTC site)
  2. The buses should be named by their actual route name (BIG-10-3 in this case) so as not to get confused with other Big 10 routes (i am not a kannadiga, and even though I ahve learned to read Kannada, i cannot read it as fast as it is scrolled on the LED panel!!)
  3. The drivers need to stick to the scheduled bus routes.

Rgds,

Gizmo Freak.

Tried office commute using Big10 - a report

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BusPublic Transport

Big10 inside 28.22 am - Wife dropped me at the main road outside our complex, a Big 10 was waiting right then and there. Even better, the driver stopped for me to save me a 50 m walk till the bus stand. Good or bad, I wonder, but I did say thanks to him.



8.32 am - Our Big10 hits the Marathahalli Railway bridge.

8.44 am - 12 minutes to cross the bridge plus market area, not that bad.

8.52 am - I am out at HAL bus stand. 10 Rupees paid for the ride from Varthur Road till here.

Here is where I faced the biggest hurdle of this commute so far. Tell me how to cross the road when the signals HAL/Suranjan Das Road T junction make sure that Airport road always has traffic flowing in either direction at all points of time? There is no pedestrian island at the center (media area) as well. You got to be an athlete (sprint) as well as a monk (patience) to cross the road.

BTW, the same problem exists at Marathahalli/ORR signal as well. There is no pedestrian friendly signal stop, you got to cross one lane, then wait at median (and hope that no vehicle crushes your toes), and then cross the other lane. Two step process is fine, can live with that, but then, there must be a well made waiting area at the median.

Now, at HAL signal, I waited till 9.11 am, 19 minutes to be precise. Not a single bus came up from HAL/Airport road to take me on Suranjan Das Road towards CV Raman Nagar (office is at Bagmane Tech Park). 19 minutes is a lot of time.

9:11 am - Got into an auto. He refused to put on the meter. There was no time left to haggle (got a meeting at 9.30), so I said lets see. Along the way, he picked up another passenger, and requested me to "share" the ride. Great, why not.

9.24 am - I am at office, but have to first haggle with the auto driver over payment. He demands 45 Rs from both of us! I gave 35 (meter charge would have been about 26) and walked out all annoyed. Belag-belagge, yaake!?

62 minutes end to end, with 19 minutes wasted waiting at a bus interchange, and a thoroughly unpleasant last mile ride. What are the take-aways?

  • It takes me 35-40 minutes to cover the same route via private transport. Time taken via the bus auto combination is not that much more if you cut out the wait, and the ride itself (when in the bus) is comfortable enough.
  • Buses are nice to be in, but it is painful to be outside of them - to cross major roads, or wait at bus stands
  • Big 10 helps, high frequency of operation is the key
  • But, last mile sucks, as always. Thank God I live close to the Big 10 route. But I wish my office was closer to the Big 10 corridor.

Recommendations?

  • Instead of runing services (hired from BMTC?) from all over Bengaluru to Bagmane Tech park, the Tech Park itself needs to run just local shuttles to pull in people from nearby corridors - Airport Road, and Old Madras Road (and later, from Byappanhalli Metro terminal, and K R Puram train station if CRS ever happens).
  • Need dedicated bus lanes at choke points. Wish the Big10 route mentioned here could cross Marathahalli bridge and ORR signal at priority.
  • And last, and relatively less important than above: Big10 buses need more acceleration. I don't like cars overtaking my bus at will. The best thing about Volvos is not the air conditioning, but quick acceleration that helps it keep pace with or even beat the rest of traffic.

Agree with me?