BMTC, BMRCL synergise to provide better connectivity

The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) and the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (BMRCL) have tied up to provide seamless connectivity between two modes of transport-buses and metro trains-so that commuters can enjoy a hassle-free public transportation system in the City.    

Speaking to Deccan Herald, Ekroop Caur, Managing Director, BMTC, said: “We are making efforts to create a synergy between BMTC buses and metro trains so that the services complement each other and people are able to travel in a convenient manner.” 

“The Detailed Project Report (DPR) in this regard will be prepared in one or two months and we hope that the Namma Metro Phase I becomes operational by that time.”

She added that other infrastructure such as subways or over-bridges will also be constructed near bus stations and metro stations if the need arises.

Route survey, feeder bus

A route survey is being carried out across the City to chalk out route plans for better connectivity. Officials have already visited Kalasipalya, Yeshwantpur, Banashankari and Vijayanagar. Both the corporations have also formed a committee to work together and understand the needs of the travelling public to come out with a systematic and complementary schedule of routes and timings of bus and metro services.

In the pipeline is a plan to provide a feeder bus link between MG Road, Commercial Street, Mantri Mall and Kempegowda Bus station so that the metro train services can be used by BMTC commuters and vice versa. Another feeder bus-Metro train link is going to be established between Baiyappannahalli and Whitefield, and one to Jalahalli, Nagasandra.

Thats not all. After failing in its experiment the first time to provide a feeder bus to ferry metro commuters at Sampige station, now BMTC and BMRCL, are reviving the service and are hopeful that it will work after Metro Reach 3B becomes functional. 

Presently, hundreds of factory workers travel all the way up to Nagasandra on the North-South Corridor of the Namma Metro. 

Nearly 35,000 commuters travel between Sampige Station and Nagasandra and this number goes up by 10,000 during weekends. The earlier feeder bus service had less takers when the last station was till Peenya and hence the BMTC had to discontinue the service because of lack of demand, metro officials said. 

Hindrances 

One of the biggest hindrances for the commuters while taking feeder buses is the inability to cross over to the metro stations from one end of the road to the other amidst heavy traffic. This is particularly common at Yeshwantpur railway station, Peenya Industrial area. Once the subways or foot over bridges come up, this problem can be taken care of, said a metro official. 

Already, the BMRCL has floated tenders for construction of underpasses at Jalahalli, Dasarahalli and Nagasandra, added the official.