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BMTC – Zones and Routes
Written By narayan82 - 30 May, 2008
Bangalore CTTP BMTC Zones TTMC suggestion public transport Metro Rail
This is not a solution but an attempt to spark off a debate to create a solution
I have tried to work out a method to organize bus travel within Bangalore. The inspiration for this started from London’s Underground – which is based on the concept of zones and lines. I have illustrated my idea of how Bangalore can be divided. It is a combination of the “Spoke” and the “Zone” concept.
Firstly I have divided Bangalore into Zones. Each zone will have one TTMC. See Fig 1 (Click to see original)
Inter-Zone busses ply between the TTMCs of every zone. Each Zone is assigned an Alphabet (Zone A, Zone B...etc). The number of the Bus is prefixed as Zone (From): Zone (to): Route Number. See Figure 2 (Below). On the return journey From and To are switched.
Every TTMC is linked with Autos, Taxis, Park & Ride Scheme and also eventually in the same building as the Metro. TTMC’s are modern, Air Conditioned, have lounges, have food and beverage options, travel booking facilities and other such amenities. Importantly they have to be well maintained, clean and have a modern “mall” like look.
Now each TTMC has smaller busses that ply within the zone or Intra-Zone Busses. These busses originate at the TTMC and serve all bus tops within its area. Each TTMC is assigned a colour (or rather each zone is assigned a colour) – which is then the dominant colour of the Intra-Zone Bus. The Bus number is also pre-fixed with the Zone Letter (see figure 3 – below).
So if we zoom out, we see a linking somewhat similar to Figure 4. So the method of getting from A-B would be to use last mile connectivity or Intrazone busses to the TTMC.
This can be combined with BRTS. Inter-Zone busses can have dedicated lanes. Please note, Inter-Zone Busses Services are NOT non-stop. They serve many stops along the way. The only originate and terminate at TTMCs.
All zones and drawings are only indicative and not precise/actual/to scale
COMMENTS
narayan82 - 30 May, 2008 - 10:28
narayan82 - 30 May, 2008 - 11:34
A simple vending machine can be devised at all bus stops/TTMCs which give the user a printout of the busses he needs to take to reach his destination. This can be linked to the GPS system giving hm preciser instructions. (See Figure Below)
Idea looks intuitively appealing
s_yajaman - 30 May, 2008 - 08:46
Narayan,
Your idea looks intuitively appealing as you can get fewer routes and more frequency. You will have nC2 * 2 routes (to distinguish Up and Down routes to borrow an IR term) where n is the number of zones.
Let us say the average cycle time for a route is 2 hrs (including rest, etc). To maintain a frequency of 5 mins - you need 24 buses on a route. If you have 10 zones, you need 10*9*24 or about 2400-2500 buses. Tha balance could go for intra zone feeders and suburban services.
People will have to change buses but overall transit times could come down as overall waiting time could come down given better frequency.
You might want to superimpose the Metro network onto this as well as BMTC depots (maintenance). The latter is very important as the location cannot be changed as easily given real estate considerations.
The TTMCs need to be really well planned with parking for 5000 two wheelers, auto stands, etc.
Srivathsa
Nice thoughts : some more ideas.
bangalore-guy - 30 May, 2008 - 09:57
On first look this looks very good. Some additional suggestions:
1) The Inter Zone (inter TTMC) connectivity can be aligned with the BRTs to gain maximum benifit, faster travel between the TTMCs.
2) The inter zone buses should be high capacity buses (double deckers ?) to make maximum use of the road space available.
3) It might be a good idea to have the inter-zone buses as point to point buses (no intermediate stops)
If planned rightly, one will have to make a maximum of two bus changes for any source to any destination.
http://clean-and-green.blogspot.com
Bengloorappa - 30 May, 2008 - 12:05
At the outset, I cannot help wonder whether you do Graphics for a living :) - very nice color balance and good choice of fonts.
Will read more and post...
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