I have been residing in Bangalore for the past 25 years, traveling mainly in the industrial areas. I frequently travel in all major cities in India too. I would like to share my views and some of the practicable points which BMTC can implement to ease traffic jams and to cut down the number of vehicles being added on Bangalore roads.
Bangalore's population is (Urban and Rural District) is more than 1.5 Crores.
- Of the 4500 BMTC buses, more than 50% of this fleet is used for IT Companies including Infosys, TCS, PSUs like HAL, ITI, BHEL, BEL, BEML etc. apart from serving many educations institutions. All these users required the bus during peak hours. So the ordinary commuter has to curse and stand in various bus shelters in an effort to get a bus.
- BMTC to be blamed for a non-reliable public transport system and for conducting the business only for the profit making purpose.
- Chennai city has approx 20,000 Buses (peak hour rush everywhere is common) apart from local train services Two wheelers and cars are not required to travel in. The frequency of the bus services is really appreciable.
-In 1987, Delhi had 5000 DTC buses with a population of just even 60 Lacs. Today population has increased to more than 1.5 Crores,10000 DTC buses, Metro rail serve the people of Delhi.
- In Bangalore, 90 per cent of these people prefer their own vehicle because they have to reach their workplace in time. It is not just a whim and nobody can blame them.
- Cochin and Mangalore have excellent bus services because of private buses are serving the people with reasonable fares and one need not wait for long to reach his destination.
- BMTC fares are very much on the higher side. Stage system has to be redrawn and the charges minimised.
- BMTC need not have costly buses for local services. They need not spend a lot on fancy fittings, colours for local busses. Volvo bus is useful for long journeys.
- BMTC with immediate effect ,must increase the number of buses/services and the frequency too.
If industries are not coming to Bangalore (except IT sector) like earlier , it ismainly die to bad transport facilities.
Achuthan.P.N
B.K. Residency, Gottigere PO, Bannerghatta Road,
