Bridging the distance

If everything goes as planned, the initial reach of the City’s much touted Metro service will begin operations in December. The first trial run will take place in November. Traffic jams and road rage will be a thing of the past. So will cantankerous auto drivers and tardy buses.

No more missed meetings or delayed rendezvous. Citizens will be able to zip through the City in record time without missing a beat. Really? But what happens as you get off at a station? How do you make it to your final destination? Walk? Take an autorickshaw? A bus?

Metrolife takes a look at the ground reality of using the Metro through different perceptions and viewpoints.

 Y B Chavan, the PRO of the Bangalore Metro, is very optimistic about the schedule ahead.

He says, “The prototypes of the trains will arrive in Bangalore by October. The first trial runs from Bypanahalli to CMH Road will commence in November. The Metro stations enroute are being readied simultaneously and we are in talks with the BMTC to run buses in a circular route from the Metro stations to near by destinations. People will have easy efficient connectivity within the City soon,” says Y B Chavan, the PRO of the Bangalore Metro.

But what do citizens say? Do they believe in all the arrangements that are being promised now?

“As a working professional, I travel 20 kms each way to my office every day and it takes me an hour each way. I am sure that the Metro will cut this down by half provided there is connectivity from the station to our final destination. Commuters cannot afford to be stranded at Metro stations. I used the Metro everyday when I lived in Boston and it was  inexpensive and hassle free. I am optimistic that the Metro will indeed be the solution to our traffic woes!” says Roopa Colaco, an HR consultant.

“I would definitely use the Metro instead of driving around the City. It’s important though that there are buses at Metro stations to help commuters get to their destinations with the minimum inconvenience. Autos plying in certain pockets in the City may be helpful too. People could also be encouraged to cycle to Metro stations and park there,” says Srinath Prabhu, a chartered accountant.

Prof M N Sreehari, traffic advisor, consultant and expert member to Agenda for
Bangalore Infrastructure Development (ABIDE) had this to say, “First of all people have to tune into using the Metro once it becomes operational. We are used to hailing autorickshaws or driving ourselves to destinations directly. A complete ban on autorickshaws in Bangalore is also on the cards. If autos and private vehicles are off the streets  and people co-operate we will have a safe, reliable and  affordable means of public transport.”