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BMTC's airport service - experience
Written By silkboard - 28 May, 2008
BIAL Bangalore Whitefield BMTC public transport
[Since's Goerge's experience got lost in talks of PPP, privatization etc, I am posting this in a new thread]
Got to use BMTC's Whitefield to BIA service yesterday. Went to Hope Farm junction in an auto, and noticed that there was a special board marking the BIAL bus stop. I was there at 1:35 pm, and as per the listed times, a non-A/C service should have shown up in a few minutes. Even though a non-A/C bus was parked about half a km back in Whitefield, nothing showed up. Waiting for the bus wasn't fun - strong sun, no shelter, and no paved surface to rest my luggage.
[flickr-photo:id=2531137466,size=m][flickr-photo:id=2530320673,size=m]
By the time it was 2, I was getting nervous about catching my 4 pm flight. However, a Volvo showed up at 14:10 (5 minutes late, not bad). I got to be the solo passenger. 150 Rs, and an A/c bus all to myself, wow! Another guy joined in at ITPL, but that was it, it was just the two of us all the way.
[flickr-photo:id=2530321011,size=m]The thing that stands out about the Volvo buses is not the air conditioning or clean interiors. Its the acceleration and speed. These buses gather speed really quickly, and literally move at same pace as private cars. And since the driver wasn't afraid to be aggressive at intersections or face-off situations, our Volvo raced well with a naughty black Scorpio all the way till ORR.
2:10 pm at Hope Farm / Whitefield, to BIA at 3:20 pm, 70 minutes was not bad at all! On the way, there was a "near miss" on NH7 though. Our driver created a 'fourth' lane to overtake three lorries moving slow in tandem and parallel. While doing this, our bus almost rammed into a slow moving Santro on the edge of the road. Now I know the volvos have real solid brakes. But a verbal fight ensued, and after hearing the exchange of abuses for about 5 minutes, and just when the fight was going to turn physical, I intervened to force a resumption of our journey.
So all in all, encouraging and very usable. I only wish a cab had picked me up at home for a smooth end to end ride. And, wish more people will use the service or demand "last-mile" connectivity from BMTC. I hear that this route (Whitefield) is the least used of all airport routes, and might be scrapped. Well, lets see.
COMMENTS
Paalike & Saarige Must Co-Ordinate
Naveen - 29 May, 2008 - 03:23
I think BBMP & BMTC must co-ordinate better - BBMP cannot provide routes to BMTC as their knowledge for route requirements may not be well-aligned with realities - BMTC may have better know-how, being bus operators.
Next - back from Airport to home
silkboard - 29 May, 2008 - 07:57
Reached BIA this morning from Pune at 9:20am, and was at the bus stand by 9:40 am. Started walking towards the bus stand, when this thought crossed my mind . Why is it that parking area - 4 (the expensive one) is the closest to terminal building? The bus bays should be the closest to the building, not this parking area.
Anyway. reached the bus stand and found at least 5 people waiting to ask me where I wanted to go. Found a route 6 bus standing. Sat inside, only to be told by the conductor that the bus will leave only at 10:20. I did have the taxi option, but I wanted to try the bus no matter what. So spent those 30 minutes with newspapers and phone.
By the time we left (at 10:20 am), the bus had about 10 passengers. We reached Whitefield/Varthur road only by 11:55 !! More than 90 minutes. Main bottlenecks? Those three signals between Hebbal and K R Puram. Bus driver himself seem frustrated, and the horn was his outlet.
Now, once dropped near my home, I couldn't find any auto around. Had to walk up to home. No issues, I just had one bag to lug. But this would be a big deal for passengers with more bags.
Another interesting thing. A passenger wanting to go to Adugodi, ended up coming with us to Kadugodi. He didn't know Kadugodi wasn't close to Koramangala. Need to have A route and city map on and inside the bus.
All in all, after this two-way and complete experience, the need for two things became only clearer 1) dedicated bus lanes, or something to let buses cross the signals on priority, and 2) last-mile drop+pickup. Both of these aren't specific to Airport buses, though #2 can be termed as critical for the airport service (because you travel with luggage)
For last-mile connectivity, they do have a tie up with cellcabs, but for some reason, the fact is not that well publicized. Dont hear of the cab drop/pickup getting used that much.
90 minutes spent inside the bus, plus the 30 minute wait to start, and then the last-mile 5 minute walk back home with two laptops - well. The hassle is worth it only if you love the space and time quality public transport gives you. But, I kind of think that without hassle-free last-mile drops, popularity of airport-to-city trips will drop with time. Notice that what I observed on this trip was the reverse (2 up vs 10 down).
BMTC driver and assistant were very enthusiastic though, and told me 'they' are working to make traffic better on ORR. "Mattay bannee saar, timings improve aagutte". They seemed to be feeling bad about the rather long journey time. But we know its not their fault. 50 kms can be done in 50 minutes, just ask Murali Sir and Naveen :)
UnSafe Roads - Another Example
Naveen - 28 May, 2008 - 13:58
The Volvo may have done it's job for those anxious to get to the airport, but was'nt it unsafe for the Santro, as also for other vehicles en-route ?
If there had been a collision, occupant/s in the Santro might have been seriously injured, if not lost their lives.
The competition on the roads has now reached a point where lives have become insignificant & unimportant. Steps need to be taken to reduce such undesirable situations.
tsubba - 29 May, 2008 - 03:07
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