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Rail Vajra, anyone?
Written By SB_YPR - 18 February, 2009
Bangalore BMTC Bus SWR suggestion Rail Integration Vajra Mobilicity railway proposals
Hi,
After the recent success of the Vayu Vajras, isn't it time for BMTC to look into providing similar services for a larger segment - the rail travellers?
The two largest railway stations in the city- Bangalore City and Yesvantpur - together handle about 25 long-distance trains daily, comprising about 40,000 passengers. In the absence of any dedicated bus service or other efficient public transport to these locations, long queues can be seen at the prepaid auto and taxi stands outside the stations everytime a train comes in. And those who are in a hurry have to fork out more to autodrivers outside the station. Similar experiences are faced by those leaving home to get to the station.
Here's where BMTC comes in. They could operate a dedicated fleet of Volvos, a la Vayu Vajra, to and fro Bangalore City and Yesvantpur Railway stations. The bus models could be like the VV's, with luggage racks etc. As the railway stations are considerably closer tahn the airport,the fare should be corespondingly lower. Since this will target people using autos and taxis to get home, I would suggest 'flat fares' of Rs. 30/40/50/60 (depending on the distance).
As a trial measure, BMTC could start this service on a few routes (from Bangalore City to JP Nagar/BTM/HSR/Whitefield/Kalyananagar/Mahalakshmi Layout/Kengeri; and from Yesvantpur to JP Nagar/BTM/HSR/Whitefield/Kalyananagar/Vijayanagar/RR Nagar). Like the VV's, these should start from dedicated bus bays (I would suggest outside the rear entrance of City, and the NH-4 entrance of Yesvantpur), where platforms and shelters should be made available, along with a short (~100m) passageway from the station entrance to the busbays. All the construction would be done on SWR's land.
I'm sure there would be quite a few passengers who would prefer getting to the railway station in this way, if the bus timimgs were synchronised with train schedules. However, route planning would have to be done carefully, and the entire exercise would have to be well-publicised, like the HOHO/BIG10 services. What say, folks?
A word of caution : this exercise hinges on cooperation between SWR, BMTC and BTP. Given that's something our civic agencies have not exactly been good at, let's keep our fingers crossed on this one. Regards,
~~~~
Manish.
COMMENTS
Existing buses will not do as no space of luggage
sanchitnis - 15 June, 2009 - 08:04
Hi,
The existing service to Kempe Gowda Bus Station is not a substitute of Rail Vajra as they do not allow of luggage and are crowded most of the time. As the number of passangers is much higher than the Air traveller, I think it will be possible to run buses with full capacity and at much higher frequency.
It will be better to have more Suvarna Buses on these routes with separate racks.
In order to avoid crowding at the main station, buses can be run to KR Puram, Yelahanka, Bangalore Cantt/Bangalore East.
As many of these stations are accessible directly from main roads, no permission from railways will be needed.
Sanjay Chitnis
Atal buses suitable/People carry waggon load luggage
Vasanthkumar Mysoremath - 15 June, 2009 - 08:19
Whereas Airlines have prescribed luggage weight etc., and people adhere to proper security check and personal frisking, Railways/Roadways, though have some norms, are not strict. Therefore, people carry waggon loads to their personal luggage inside the compartments. Vayu Vajras are OK for such sophisticated luggage carriers. But Rail Vajras will be mobile godowns.
Atal type of buses with less seats will be most suited and they are bound to become popular if they are run from all corners as Railway Station Specials.
Trip Timings may be prescribed to suit arrivals/departures of major trains and suc bses need not be run as regular buses which may not serve the purpose and BMTC may incur losses.
-- Vasanth Mysoremath
pathykv - 15 June, 2009 - 13:56
To start with, the present Big10/ Volvo buses from Majestic bus station should be routed thro the road by the side of the Rly. station to pick up and drop the passengers.
Based on the experience further improvements can be done.
Immediate requirement is the coordination between Traffic Police and BMTC for re-routing the existing buses.
At Cantonment Station what is needed is the mandatory stopping of all buses passing the station at the Station bus stop which should be shifted suitably nearer to the Station entrance and the bus routing modified so that no bus skips the bus stop.
K.V.Pathy
sudheendra.karri - 19 February, 2009 - 12:17
BUS SERVICE TO RAILWAY STATION
pathykv - 11 June, 2009 - 14:51
Is any one working on this to make the SWR authorities allow the BMTC buses inside the City Station compound?
Alternately the present bus routes should me modified by Traffic Police and BMTC to enable Railway commuters to board/alight from buses close to the Rly. Stn. entrance.
K.V.Pathy
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