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January Bus Day - cycles in the Bus!?
Written By silkboard - 7 December, 2010
Bangalore BMTC Bus cycling Last Mile Transportation public transport Bus Day
Let us help BMTC re-enthuse Bus Day with support and new ideas for more experiments. Yes, they are yet to improve on tons of suggestions that Bus Day has generated (last mile, bus shelters, bus interchanges etc etc), but there is no harm in keeping at Bus Day, to try some small things they can do, and remind them again and again and again about the larger things they want to but are not able to do :)
Now, on a recent weekend, I had to go to the Planetarium. Since there is no easy 1-change option to go from Whitefield to Planetarium, I thought I'd take along the cycle in the bus (Volvo's back-side entrance has space for 2/3 cycles). Took my cycle to Kundalahalli Bus stand, stopped some 335Es and 331A and asked BMTC staff if I could. I had called a contact at BMTC and checked, as per them, they have told Vajra staff that cycles are okay (not sure if this is BMTC's official stand). Regardless, of the 3 buses I tried, 1 driver seemed confused, said only small/kiddy cycles would be allowed, other 2 said they don't know, so they won't let the cycle in. Well anyway, I parked my cycle at a nearby place, and took the Bus-Auto combination to get to the Planetarium and return.
Shouldn't BMTC allow cycles in the buses? Why not? Charge a fee for it if demand is to high. And use the fee to maintain cycle hanger/attachments in the front-side of buses. Or, for starters, allow them in Vajra's, since there is space for 2-3 of them.
Moving on to the questions - Is there demand for such a thing? Will bus commuters find it easy to get the cycles in and out? How much time will it take? Well, Bus Day is that thing, the perfect "test tool" to answer such questions. Why not try this for Jan and Feb Bus Days!?
Allow cycles in Vajras (as there is space), and also try to get cycle hangers in some other services (Big10) and then allow cycles in all the buses that have cycle hangers in place.
On to the aware Prajgalu for their feedback. BMTC is game, in fact, its not a new idea, they already have it in their list. What have you seen elsewhere? Do city buses charge extra for cycles? Anyone has photos of cycle hangers/attachments for the Buses?
COMMENTS
idontspam - 14 December, 2010 - 06:28
Considering the volume of cycles per bus will grow to more than a bus can handle we could look at bike sharing options like this one in china
demand might be higher than expected
silkboard - 12 December, 2010 - 18:25
Above pictures are from western countres, where save for exceptions, public transport isn't preferred. Here, those who use the bus, MAINLY do so because they can't afford a personal mode of transport. To them, if a bicycle can save an auto fare, or 20 minutes waiting for another bus for that last 2 kilometer, cycle in the bus may appeal. And if it does, we may find these 2/3 cycle hangers inadequate.
If BMTC can experiement with hangers, would be great. If it would only be Vajras (where there is some space for 1-2 cycles), Bus Day experment wouldn't target the users who may find more value in carrying the cycles.
Regardless of all the arguments, something is better than nothing. Must try, must experiment.
silkboard - 14 December, 2010 - 07:04
Absolutely, bike sharing would be more scalable. However, a bike-hanger stunt like this could help generate some demand and curiosity for the Bus/cycle combo. If the buses do get crowded with cycles, that would be a real good problem to have, we would generate demand for the in-the-works bike sharing program (the project you are anchoring us on).
Let us push for this in Jan/Feb Bus Day. request all to send emails to BMTC, or leave comment here in support of this experiment.
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