BMTC | Bangalore Metropolitan Bus Transport Corporation Updates

[Raghu0307]

Hi all,

Since we have threads on so many different sectors, how about having a seperate thread for BMTC. After the introduction of vayu vajra buses, and the now being experimented Marco poplo buses, with many TTMCs to come up, I thought this one deserves its own thread. Changes to the title of the thread or any suggestions, new posts, updates always welcome.

Raghu

[Raghu0307]

Originally Posted by Raghu0307

Saturday, October 04, 2008

Taming traffic TTMC way


Bengaluru,
Article Rank

If things go according to plan, you may soon be able to leave your car or bike at a terminal and take a bus from there to your destination, avoiding the hassles of negotiating traffic and finding parking.

The Traffic Transit Management Centres planned for the city by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation could provide the solution to roads weighed down by vehicles and the daily traffic snarls commuters have become accustomed to.

The TTMCs may do the trick which magic boxes and flyovers have failed to, and improve traffic conditions in the city. According to experts, this would, however, depend on the percentage of people using these multipurpose terminals.

“The TTMC’s are huge empty areas where people can park their two-wheelers and four-wheelers and switch to public transport for commuting. If more people use the TTMCs for parking their vehicles and opt for public transport, it will automatically reduce traffic on the roads,” explains chairman of Traffic Engineering and Safety Trainers, M.N. Srihari.

Chief traffic manager (BMTC operations) Dastagir Shareif is confident about the positive impact of the TTMCs on the city. In his view they are bound to ease congestion on the roads and encourage people to take the bus to work. “The whole idea is to make commuters park their vehicles at the TTMC parking lots and take the bus to wherever they want to go. This will not only decongest roads, but also reduce air pollution due to vehicular effluents, lower the incidence of accidents and make commuting a pleasure,” adds Mr. Sharief.

In all, 45 locations have been identified for construction of TTMCs in the city. Phase one will see 10 TTMCs coming up in the city. Eleven more have been planned in phase two. Of the first lot of 10 TTMCs, eight have already been approved under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and are coming up at Jayanagar IV Block, Banashankari, Vijaynagar, Koramangala, Shantinagar, ITPL, Bannerghatta and Kengeri.

a post to start

[Krishnamoorthy K]

BANGALORE: One dedicated road stretch to connect the city centre to its airport, where commuters on various modes of transportation converge from across the city. And chaos, when the stretch gets choked by mass public movement, as the city witnessed recently. The possibilities are ominous enough to look for alternatives. For starters, the government is pushing to develop Hebbal as a transportation hub.

The idea is to offer a host of modal interchange options near the Hebbal flyover, which has become critical given Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) is at Devanahalli. The plan that has been doing the rounds for more than a year was again brought on the drawing board after the airport started functioning in 2008.

According to sources, a proposal to construct a traffic and transit management centre (TTMC) in Hebbal -- on the lines of centres planned in other parts of the city -- is gathering momentum. The model, whereby people enter the premises by one mode of transport and get out using another, has been used to good effect in cities worldwide. Bangalore is chanting the TTMC mantra rather late but traffic and transportation experts say Hebbal makes a perfect case for one.

M N Sreehari, traffic expert and adviser to the government, says the move was a given considering all the major city roads converge to the Bellary Road towards BIA. "BMTC services are already quite active around Hebbal. The TTMC will provide commuters options like park and ride. Further, we are also exploring the option of shuttle services (on normal BMTC buses) to the airport,'' says Sreehari.

According to official sources, the potential of the proposed high speed rail link (HSRL) from BRV Parade Grounds to BIA is also being tapped as a component in the Hebbal transportation hub. With BDA lining grade separators on the stretch between Central Silk Board (CSB) Junction in Madiwala and Hebbal flyover, the plan is now sitting on possible support systems.

Alternatives on radar

While the Hebbal transportation hub is expected to streamline traffic on the stretch to BIA, the government has also lined up plans to identify roads from other parts of the city to BIA. "If Bellary Road is choked, the entire system of traffic to BIA will collapse. There's a need to develop new connectivity options,'' says Sreehari. As part of the state plan, four roads to BIA -- from the directions of Nelamangala, Yeshwantpur, Hennur and the Budhigere-Whitefield stretch -- will be taken forward.

Source: The Times of India on 13th Jan 2009

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Networking giant Cisco has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Karnataka government as part of its worldwide Intelligent Urbanisation initiative.

Under the MoU, the state government and Cisco will roll out the ‘Intelligent Bengaluru’ pilot project. This project encompasses developing hi-tech solutions in the public space relating to areas like safety and security, transportation, buildings, power distribution, energy usage and environment conservation.

A pilot project will initially be carried out of the Kempe Gowda Bus Station in Bangalore, and later extended to other locations in the city depending on priority areas and concerns specific to each location, top Cisco officials said.

Cisco will work with the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Karnataka police to improve public safety and security around the bus terminals.

The project will enable public safety and security at strategic points within the terminal by offering remote monitoring capabilities with real-time information relays.

....

Source: Business Standard

[Krishnamoorthy K]

Around Rs 500 crore will be spent on 1,000 high quality buses to be commissioned through BMTC.

Source: Deccan Herald

[Krishnamoorthy K]

BANGALORE : BMTC and the Bangalore Metro service are likely to merge in future to facilitate smooth transportation in the city.

BMTC chief traffic manager K S Vishwanath announced this on Thursday during a talk on `Bus transportation in Bangalore'. "People have to use the bus to reach the nearby Metro station. So, it is likely that BMTC and Bangalore Metro may merge in future.''

Another new scheme to be implemented is construction of 10 traffic transit management centres (TTMCs) across the city, to be developed as a traffic hub with multiple civic utilities.

"The TTMCs are funded by JNNURM; they will be spread across 5 acres with bus depot, station, parking, and space for commercial purposes. We will add 500 more Volvo buses to the existing fleet, and 1,000 BMTC buses this year," he said.

Source: ToI

[krishnancv]

Hi, I am travelling to Bengaluru from Chennai tomorrow and I would like to know where SETC buses of TN would stop in Bengaluru. Can somebody recommend a good means of transportation from there to Indira Nagar? Thanks in advance.

[natarajan1986]

it will stop in shanthi nagar bus stop from there you can take any bus by asking ppl over there.

[Krishnamoorthy K]

BANGALORE: Leave the car home, de-congest the roads and start warming up to travel in the feeder service of public transportation that's soon going to take over the city roads.

In a prelude to Namma Metro that is likely to come to fruition by 2010-end, the government wants to prepare commuters -- especially the middle and higher middle classes, who are the targeted passengers of Metro -- to adapt to the bus system.

A fleet of 1,000 buses that will soon hit the roads, promises to be high-end, have last-mile connectivity, 24-hour information on a toll-free phone service to locate the bus, a dedicated public campaign and parking policy.

This bonanza comes with a bag of reforms in the urban transport sector. It is not for the lower middle-class but is funded with the objective of getting higher middle-class citizens who otherwise travel by car.

How it works: the feeder service is about travelling point-to-point in the buses to reach the Metro station and hop on to the train. Instead of people travelling to Metro stations by private vehicles, which will subsequently crowd up parking lots, it is aimed at using public transport entirely.

According to environment experts, this stimulus package of Rs 323 crore, given by the Union urban development ministry under JN-NURM to buy buses, can be one of the important tools in tackling urban air pollution. The Supreme Court's Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, that met with Pollution Control Board representatives from nine cities, focused on this measure.

To receive this fund dedicated to public transport, the departments had to outline reforms like increase Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA) which is BMLTA in Bangalore, a strong parking policy and many others. One such reform for Bangalore would be exemption of 4% VAT on buses. A parking policy is also being formulated under the chief secretary.

BMTC will launch an aggressive public campaign this year to make buses people-friendly. They will partner with RWAs to shift people's dependence on cars to high-end buses. Another reform to make these buses more viable will be a control-cum-information centre with a toll-free number. In the proposal, BMTC has also committed to cover new areas with last-mile connectivity.

"While US and Europe are giving stimulus packages for cars, this is a unique opportunity for the city to build its public transport system. We are more hopeful of improvements because the cities had to show certain reforms in their transport structure, which was also discussed at the EPCA meeting," said associate director, Centre for Science and Environment, Anumita Roy Chowdhury.

HOW THE GRANT CAME THROUGH

Bangalore is one of the eight critically-polluted cities that have received this stimulus package to buy 1,000 buses. However, the grant was given on the basis of a detailed report that will outline how public transport will be made more viable.

"The whole idea of giving this grant is to get the middle-class and higher middle-class to leave their cars and travel more by buses. People don't want to compromise on their comfort and space, but these buses are meant to be comfortable, accessible and high-end AC and non-AC. They can reduce a huge load from roads. A car occupies at least 200 sqft," explained KUIDFC officials.

Source: The Times of India

[Krishnamoorthy K]

BANGALORE: The traffic and transit management centre (TTMC) that is nearing completion in Shanthinagar will have one of the city's largest parking spaces with a capacity to hold 525 cars and 742 two-wheelers.

Briefing the media after inspecting the work on Friday, transport minister R Ashok said Rs 29.25 crore has been spent on the centre so far, the total cost being Rs 107.22 crore.

The first floor will be for buses while other floors will have passenger amenities and commercial space. The centre is expected to be complete by July 2010. It is the first of 10 TTMCs planned under JNNURM grant. The state is contributing 35% of project cost.

BMTC has identified 45 TTMCs for the city. Under the first phase, centres will come up in Jayanagar, Vijayanagar, Banashankari, Koramangala, Shanthinagar, ITPB, Kengeri, Bannerghatta, Yeshwantpur and Domlur at a cost of Rs 444 crore. The Jayanagar TTMC, expected to be completed first, has seen a delay and the government has imposed fine of over Rs 18 lakh on the contractors.

The one-ticket system in KSRTC and BMTC buses in and around Bangalore, announced on Thursday, will be formally inaugurated in the next 3-4 days, he said.

Source: ToI

[Krishnamoorthy K]

BANGALORE : If you were a child of the early 1990s in a quieter Bangalore, treats and a day out would have invariably included a ride in double-decker buses, with everyone racing to grab the best seats at the front of the top deck.

Over time, these buses were gradually phased out but Bangaloreans didn't seem to notice; they were probably too busy riding the IT boom and flocking to malls. Now, the BMTC wants to bring them back on select routes, mainly to reduce traffic congestion. After an educational tour to Europe to study transportation systems, public transport corporations have been mulling over several new initiatives, including bringing back double-decker buses.

BMTC MD Syed Zameer Pasha told STOI that though the idea was good, "things were not yet too favourable". Earlier, before the bifurcation of the transport corporation into KSRTC and BMTC in 1997, double-decker buses were operated by KSRTC. Under the then BTS wing, there were 84 double-deckers, of which 52 were of the articulated type, the rest were composite. The BMTC has retained one bus for city tours for tourists.

Pasha said these buses were phased out and later scrapped by the KSRTC because traffic had increased and the roads were no longer wide enough to accommodate them. The plan is still in its nascent stages for that very reason -- the roads are too narrow, tree trunks on the side of the roads and streetlights are another major hazard, all of them restricting the movement of the buses.

A few years ago, a private company introduced hop-on hop-off service on double-deckers did not take off due to these constraints.

Pasha said the BMTC was mulling introducing them along select routes, in ring roads and the like where the roads were wider and free of trees. BMTC is also considering more vestibule buses. The corporation already has 106 vestibule buses which are 16 metres long. "Along the outer ring roads, the length of these buses can be increased up to 24 metres," he added.

Source: TOI

[Krishnamoorthy K]

The much-awaited Traffic and Transit Management Centre (TTMC) built opposite Jayanagar shopping complex will be thrown open to public in the first week of August.

Constructed by Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) at a cost of Rs 13 crore, the TTMC, first of ten such centres in the City, is funded by Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) and is a joint initiative between Government of India (35 pc), Government of Karnataka (15 pc) and BMTC (50 pc).

A transport package of Rs 3,000 crore has been granted to the BMTC under JNNRUM to improve the infrastructure of bus stations in the City.

The construction of this swanky futuristic bus station was taken up under Rs 430 cr grant of the package.

The TTMC is equipped with a ‘Park and Ride’ facility for people to drive in, leave their cars/two-wheelers, board a bus and head for office.

Decongesting roads

The idea is to offer facilities that pave way for decongestion of roads.

The TTMC will also house a multi-level parking lot, mini-shopping centres, food courts, BangaloreOne kiosks, ATMs and other utilities.

Sources in BMTC said that the on going construction of nine more TTMCs - Shanthi Nagar, Domlur, Yeshwantpur, Bannerghatta, Kengeri, Koramangala, Vijayanagar, Banashankari and ITPL - will be completed in July 2010.

“The government has already accorded approval for construction of a TTMC at Hebbal on Public-Private Partnership basis. Ernst and Young has been roped in as a consultant to take the project forward. As many as 35 TTMCs are in the pipeline as PPP projects. The process is expected to move forward shortly” said a BMTC official.

JNNURM buses

Meanwhile, the first of BMTC buses, funded under JNNURM, is also scheduled to be flagged off from the new Jayanagar TTMC. “It will be a mix of low-floor Volvo buses and regular Suvarna buses and will carry a distinct JNNURM logo on both sides, a pre-condition from the Ministry of Urban Development,” added the official.

Source: Deccan Herald

[maddyvoldy]

[engineer.akash]

maddy ...good work there

[maddyvoldy]

Sorry for the pretty poor shots, the view was blocked by those sheets. I did ask for permission to take pics from clear view near the gate of depot where construction is going on but the security denied it


any pics of the completed jaynagar TTMC?

[engineer.akash]

good shots........ I too was shooed away when i went upto the gate to take the snap of the Mysore city bus stand U/C........but still I managed to climb up the public buildings and shot a few... but its fun isnt it.....??

I guess these stations are being funded under JNNURM.??

[maddyvoldy]

lol yeah its really pretty fun, especially the onlookers :-P

yes its funded by JNNURM, BMTC is constructing.

I had a cool view of it while going in a bus, since the position will be a bit high. Hope to take a shot while travelling in a bus

[engineer.akash]

This bus terminus is the pits

July 17th, 2009

Bengaluru
July 16: It’s been more than four years since the foundation for the bus terminus near Hoskerehalli main junction was laid, but there are no signs of it being completed.
Debris lies on the site causing traffic bottlenecks in the area which is a complete mess as the work has been left incomplete. Located adjacent to the ring road near Girinagar, all that commuters have at the bus stand is a shed, a poor excuse for a terminus that doesn't seem any nearer to being built.
Buses to and from Jayanagar and Majestic halt here, picking up commuters who make a scramble for them amidst the escavated earth lying around.
“It's been four years since the work started but there are no signs of it being completed. The site was dug up by the contractors, but the work came to a halt after they had differences with the BMTC. Now, there is a big pit and debris at the site of where the terminus should have been. Commuters from Girinagar and Banashankari who board buses from here find it a great inconvenience,” says Ramamurthy, a resident of Vidhya Nagar layout.
“The bus stand is used by a large number of people including college students as it is very close to PESIT College on 100 ft Ring Road. We have complained to BMTC several times, but nothing has been done,” says a resident of Girinagar, Rameshwar Nag.
Adding to the problem is the monsoon which has made the muddy bus stand slippery and unsafe for commuters as they rush to board buses to their destinations. People here fear there could be accidents if the mess is not cleared soon.
“Water accumulates in the pit dug for the terminus, when it rains. An uncovered storm water drain here overflows when it rains heavily, the site of the bus stand gets water-logged,” says Uma Shankar of Banshankari III stage.
Efforts to contact BMTC chief civil engineer M. Dileep to get his comments on the problems of the people here, proved futile.

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/benga...minus-pits-939

[engineer.akash]

maddy wats the ground reality......

[maddyvoldy]

Havent been to that area but my cousin travels through PESIT who did say that its in bad shape. Will try to get more updates