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Trams option for Bangalore?
Written By amitc - 9 August, 2011
Bangalore suggestion LRT Tram Transportation public transport
Hi all, have we considered the Trams option for Bangalore?
Clearly, on our narrow and super busy Indian roads, Trams seem unviable. However, we should probably consider them for the suburbs being developed. What about Trams in Electronic City or from EC to Silk Board?
I read recently that in Paris, given how expensive laying new metro is, they have started using Trams as the last mile connectivity. So the Tram network is being expanded to circulate people just immediately outside the city and to bring them to the ring road that separates the city. From these points, people can transfer conveniently to the metro network.
I have not seen any threads on Praja that has discussed the pros and cons of the Trams.
But I understand on an average they cost 50% of an equivalent metro network and takes less than 30% time to set up. Not to mention, it is relatively non-polluting.
Has any feasibility been done on this? Or has it ever been considered?
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COMMENTS
amitc - 9 August, 2011 - 11:29
@ids
Thanks for the link to the thread. I share your views here strongly. In fact, if we begin to consider these routes you have mentioned, the tram tracks can double up as as the dedicated lanes for buses too. And hence truly multi-functional and better utilisation of the road space.
In many countrise trams share road space with cars although how respectful Indian drivers will be is important to consider.
I see that this discussion was mostly in 2009. Has there been any update since then?
amitc - 9 August, 2011 - 11:35
Looks like there are cities considering this on bypass roads..
http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/MP-IND-shanghai-paris-2304803.html
And refers to the trams in North Paris too...
idontspam - 9 August, 2011 - 11:47
I see that this discussion was mostly in 2009. Has there been any update since then?
No we can look at making a report on feasibility of tram trains on old airport road which can double up as a G1/335E supplement & also act as the bus priority lane for that road (since both can share the same space). We may only have to make an addendum to the BPS report for introduction of trams also on that road. Let me check with the rest of the BPS folks here & CiSTUP about what they think of the idea and see if they have some technical dope on this as well.
akauppi - 9 August, 2011 - 11:49
Helsinki has a fair amount of its public transport done by trams [Google picture search - the green ones are ours]. There's pros and cons to it, and trams as a solution are a vast group with faster, bigger and slower, smaller variants.
In Helsinki, trams usually go slower than buses. This was surprising to a Swedish college of mine, because there it is the other way round. Local conditions matter greatly.
Helsinki has both dedicated tram lanes and mixed with car traffic, especially so in the historic center (i.e. tram lines on stone surfaced roads). The general trend has been towards more dedicated lanes, and naturally trams have preference in traffic lights etc (they have their own signalling service).
I would say, trams are nice and elegant, especially for tourists and if one is not in a rush. They make the city! However, any construction needing new rails or maintenance of old ones is a nightmare. One lasted over 6 months in a very busy crossing. It was like Indian traffic for us, during that period. I do not know, why it couldn't be done in say 6 weeks.
I would seconds trams to Bangalore when:
- there's no potential of animals on the road (really, should the driver come out and hush hush them?)
- payment systems are anyways in place (just swipe a card, no money given to the driver); and most of all
- there is a central multi-mode ticketing system
What is the pillar #1 on Helsinki's public transport is that *all* is serviceable with a single ticket. Buses, trams, subway, even some ferries. Getting there has taken time and there's still tensions with some of the fare balancing (there's zones 1,2,3 and 0 for only tram trips = cheapest), because there are four cities within the range of the transport system. But it works.
If there is none of that central attitude and ticketing, I wouldn't suggest trams. Well, except for maybe like amitc proposes, as peripheral shuttle connectors. That could work.
Just wanted to share my experience, and liking, of trams. They're cute! :)
idontspam - 9 August, 2011 - 10:15
I have not seen any threads on Praja that has discussed the pros and cons of the Trams.
There are many threads on Praja regarding this, it is a very feasible option. Here is one such thread.
I personally believe trams work better than bus in terms of being given priority. The newer rolling stock are called tram trains & are more friendly with higher capcities than the older smaller trams.
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