Set for a short ride home

Ever watched 'The Jetsons' and wondered how you could get  into one of those pod taxis and swoosh to your destination?  This could soon be a reality in Bengaluru because the BBMP has planned to introduce the Personal Rapid Transit System (pod taxi service) near the Metro Stations and bus stations (in selected stretches).  

With dug-up roads and traffic snarls  becoming a part of  one's routine, this proposal is being welcomed by citizens. Despite limited feeder bus services from Metro stations and connecting buses from bus stations, these pod  taxis could be a blessing in disguise for  those who depend on public transport, vouches Usha Iyengar, a teacher and resident of Kengeri.

"Imagine a break from commuting on bad roads, blaring horns and road rage? What more could you ask for?  A pod taxi service at places like Silk Board junction or in Whitefield would  cut down on so many hours of travel time," she says.  

Usha points out that once such a service is introduced, it should be  available  every three to five minutes. "Also for those who use cab or auto services regularly,  the tariff should be affordable,  else it will turn out to be pointless," she adds.        

Pod taxis would make connectivity smoother,  feels Sangeeta Saha, a physiotherapist and resident of Dinnur Main Road, RT Nagar. "I use the bus service regularly and this would be a great move. It's always a struggle to  find an auto  which won't cost one a bomb.  A lot of productivity also cuts down when you waste your time in commuting," she says.  

Sangeeta adds that people in places like  RT Nagar and near the Hebbal Flyover, deserve such feasible travel options. "A pod taxi service from the Anand Nagar bus depot would ease traffic in the area," she says. 

Unlike other proposals that are brought in, she feels that the BBMP should closely interact with citizens to identify stretches where these taxis could be pressed into service.  

Time management would be easier with such  travel options, says  Pavithra Patil, a homemaker from Yeshwanthpur.

"Reaching one's destination is a big deal and a struggle in today's time.  While there should be pod taxis available at regular intervals so that people can access them easily, there should also be clear indications of which
taxi goes where. There should also be a proper understanding of how it works," she says.

When such an option is introduced, it should also be efficient and in sufficient numbers during peak hours, she points out. "These services should be at its best during morning and evening, when there is an increased number of people on the roads.  This way the number of vehicles on the road can be reduced and air and sound pollution  can be reduced,"  adds Pavithra.  

Shilpa M, a  homemaker from  Chandra Layout, Nagarbhavi, who uses Metro and bus services often, points out that it is an ordeal to wait for autorickshaws or cabs to reach the final destination.  "If  pod taxis  are for real, they must be easily accessible from the exit points of the stations itself. Since they would be monitored services, one doesn't have to worry about safety too," she says.    

Regular honking can exasperating and a fast-reaching option like a pod taxi would make  things smoother at a professional and personal level, she adds. It's a thumbs up for the pod taxis!