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Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Bengaluru's Outer Ring Road to get redesigned bus priority lanes by year-end: Report
Bengaluru's traffic-clogged Outer Ring Road (ORR) is set to welcome back Bus Priority Lanes (BPL) after a two-year break, with the relaunch expected to take place post-November 2025, according to a report by Deccan Herald. The initiative, aimed at cutting down travel time for public transport users, was originally halted in 2022 due to ongoing metro construction along the corridor. Bus priority lanes to be back in Bengaluru.(X/Maheshwar Rao.M, IAS) Also Read - Bengaluru civic body floats ₹2.88-cr tender to provide daily meals to 4K street dogs in the city The revival of BPL on the 17-kilometre stretch between KR Puram and Silk Board Junction, a key IT hub notorious for peak-hour traffic jams, is being led by the Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). Speaking to DH, BMTC Managing Director Ramachandran R confirmed the corporation's efforts to bring back the BPL on ORR. "We've written to all stakeholders and will hold meetings with BMRCL, BBMP, DULT, and the Bengaluru Traffic Police to finalize the plan," he said. Once implemented, the BPL is expected to reduce bus commute time by at least 20 minutes, offering a faster, more reliable alternative to private vehicles. The previous BPL initiative on ORR was discontinued in 2022, as metro construction under Phase 2A (Silk Board to KR Puram) took up a major portion of the road. This forced other vehicles to spill over into the dedicated bus lane, often damaging the fibre-reinforced bollards meant to protect it. However, with much of the metro work now complete, except for three remaining station areas, officials believe it's the right time to revisit the plan. BMRCL MD and BBMP Chief Commissioner M Maheshwar Rao assured full support for the revival. Ramachandran noted that the BPL won't simply resume from where it left off. 'The metro has altered the road landscape. We'll need to redesign the entire bus lane plan, taking into account the new road layout,' he told to the publication. Also Read - Double rainbow stuns Bengaluru sky, residents share stunning photos online Bus priority lanes to be expanded Alongside the ORR relaunch, BMTC is also reportedly planning to expand bus priority lanes to other high-density routes across Bengaluru. To support this, a new survey of traffic and bus movement patterns will be conducted, as the data from five years ago is now outdated. Currently, over 300 BMTC buses operate daily along the ORR corridor between Silk Board and Hebbal, underlining the importance of this route in the city's public transport ecosystem.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
Bengaluru's public transport gets digital boost with ONDC integration for metro, bus ticketing
After the integration of Bengaluru metro and bus services with the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) on Thursday, commuters in the IT capital can now book QR-code-based tickets for metro and bus rides through multiple mobile apps. The tickets can be bought on popular apps, such as Rapido, Namma Yatri, Tummoc, RedBus, EaseMyTrip, Highway Delite, OneTicket, and Yatri City Travel Guide, among others. Till now, metro tickets could be booked online only through the Namma Metro mobile app, Paytm, and WhatsApp chatbot. While launching the new services, Karnataka IT Minister Priyank Kharge described the move as a 'significant leap toward inclusive and interoperable mobility solutions.' 'This initiative not only makes public transport more accessible but also promotes the use of digital platforms for daily commuting. Bengaluru is one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. To achieve our vision of 70 per cent public transport share by 2030, we need a combination of robust infrastructure, digital integration, and open data,' he added. BMTC Managing Director Ramachandran R noted that the corporation is working towards adopting open-source data with real-time updates. 'On June 21, BMTC served over 46 lakh passengers in a single day. To manage this growing demand, we must embrace open, real-time data and develop commuter-friendly digital platforms,' he said. He added, 'We are working on introducing both closed-loop and open-loop cards for our services. Plans are underway to roll out Smart Shakti Cards in the coming year, which will be compatible with RuPay, Mastercard, and Visa – allowing all major credit and debit cards to be used on our Electronic Ticketing Machines (ETMs).' Ramachandran further stated, 'Additionally, we are looking to implement an Automatic Passenger Counting (APC) system integrated with an Automatic Fare Collection (AFC) system. This is aimed at addressing the high operational costs and moving towards a conductor-less transit model within the city.' M Maheshwar Rao, Managing Director, BMRCL, called the integration with ONDC a critical step for simplifying multimodal journeys. 'With auto and cab services already available on ONDC, the addition of metro ticketing creates a more unified travel ecosystem. Our aim is to ensure that commuters can book their entire trip – from doorstep to destination – seamlessly using a single app,' Rao said. At the event, two mobility apps – Namma Yatri and Tummoc – also unveiled new features as part of the Enroute Challenge, an urban mobility innovation competition supported by Mercedes-Benz Research and Development India (MBRDI), WRI India, and Villgro. These apps now offer end-to-end trip planning across metro, bus, and auto-rickshaw services using open data provided by Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) and Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). Through these apps, commuters can view live bus and metro schedules, receive trip recommendations, and book auto-rickshaws for first- and last-mile connectivity, all within a single interface. Both apps also provide real-time alerts and estimated trip costs.
Indian Express
10-07-2025
- Business
- Indian Express
BMTC to relaunch bus priority lane on Bengaluru's IT corridor from January 2026
Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) is all set to relaunch the much-awaited bus priority lane (BPL) in the city from January 2026. BMTC Managing Director Ramachandran R on Thursday announced that the corporation is making efforts to relaunch BPL between KR Puram and Silk Board Junction along the Outer Ring Road, after the system came to a halt in 2022 due to Metro construction. The latest development follows repeated requests from public transport enthusiasts to bring back the priority lane so as to reduce commuting time significantly along the ORR stretch, which houses major IT companies. 'About five years ago we introduced bus priority lanes in the city. However, due to ongoing Metro construction (Blue Line), we had to pause the initiative. Now, we are planning to revive it. Starting this January, the bus priority lane will be reinstated along the KR Puram and Silk Board junction, giving priority to buses on this route,' Ramachandran said during an event in Bengaluru. BPL, initially launched as a pilot project in November 2019, was aimed to reduce traffic congestion and enhance public transport efficiency. It was envisaged to reduce travel time on BMTC buses from 70 minutes to 50-55 minutes, saving close to 20 minutes for passengers along ORR. The lane spans 17 km and was built for Rs 14.3 crore. However, the Metro construction on the ORR required 9 metres of road space for pillars. This led to the removal of 25,000 fiber-reinforced bollards, narrowing the road and forcing authorities to allow mixed traffic. BMTC is currently holding discussions with the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) and Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) on redesigning the BPL along ORR to align with the evolving urban landscape. The initiative aims to enhance public transport efficiency by addressing past challenges and adapting to recent infrastructure developments, particularly after Metro construction. Ongoing discussions with civic agencies focus on strategically repositioning bollards in areas where Metro work is complete, ensuring seamless integration with service roads to maintain smooth traffic flow for both buses and private vehicles. A major hurdle after the launch was the lack of consistent enforcement by the Bengaluru Traffic Police (BTP). Private vehicles, including two-wheelers, cars, and private buses, frequently encroached on the BPL, undermining its purpose. While penalties were introduced (Rs 500 for the first offense, Rs 1,000 for subsequent ones), enforcement was inadequate due to limited police resources. Vinay Sreenivas, member of Bengaluru Bus Prayanikara Vedike, told The Indian Express, 'Relaunching the priority lane on ORR is a commendable move, but greater urgency is needed to extend it citywide. Beyond ORR, every major corridor demands dedicated bus lanes to make public transport central to Bengaluru's mobility. The government must consult commuter forums, drivers, and conductors—not just technocrats—to ensure inclusive planning. Buses, carrying over 42 lakh passengers daily, surpass Metro'. He stressed that the BPL's success hinges on addressing past failures, primarily implementation bottlenecks. Sanath Prasad is a senior sub-editor and reporter with the Bengaluru bureau of Indian Express. He covers education, transport, infrastructure and trends and issues integral to Bengaluru. He holds more than two years of reporting experience in Karnataka. His major works include the impact of Hijab ban on Muslim girls in Karnataka, tracing the lives of the victims of Kerala cannibalism, exploring the trends in dairy market of Karnataka in the aftermath of Amul-Nandini controversy, and Karnataka State Elections among others. If he is not writing, he keeps himself engaged with badminton, swimming, and loves exploring. ... Read More
Time of India
29-06-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation tells bus makers to make design, safety upgrades for better inclusivity
Bengaluru: To make bus commute more inclusive and passenger-friendly — particularly for women — Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has directed bus manufacturers to redesign grab handles, citing accessibility and convenience issues in overcrowded buses. At present, passengers often cling to side poles near seats for support, as existing grab handles are either too high or not within easy reach. This is especially difficult for shorter passengers — both women and men — and those travelling with backpacks during peak hours. The problem has become more pressing since the rollout of the Shakti scheme, which offers free bus travel for women. Of the 40 lakh daily BMTC passengers, more than 23 lakh are women. "We've advised Tata Motors, Switch Mobility, and others to design grab handles that make travelling convenient for women passengers," BMTC MD Ramachandran R said during a panel discussion on inclusive mobility at WSSTL 2025, a symposium hosted by the World Conference on Transport Research Society and Indian Institute of Science. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru He added that BMTC is steadily transitioning to ultra low-floor buses to improve access for women, the elderly, and children. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 반지 그 이상의 가치를 월 2만 원으로 만나보세요 굿네이버스 더 알아보기 Undo Other measures include pneumatic doors with exterior buttons to aid boarding, especially at crowded bus stops. In a boost to safety, over 5,000 CCTV cameras have been installed inside city buses. All new electric and BS-VI buses come equipped with surveillance systems, part of a wider effort to improve security for women. However, not all changes have translated into a smoother ride. Pranathi R, a daily BMTC passenger, said: "While travelling in electric buses, I felt discomfort because the drivers applied sudden brakes. If we fail to hold the handrails, we almost get thrown out. Later, I got to know that drivers of e-buses aren't regular employees of BMTC but outsourced staff. BMTC should ensure that drivers have adequate driving experience. " Revamping grievance redressal Highlighting the need for faster response during emergencies, Ramachandran said BMTC is exploring more effective grievance redressal systems tailored for women. "The existing response is time-consuming; there's a need to look for a more efficient mode, maybe a WhatsApp chatbot or others," he said. Currently, the Namma BMTC app includes an SOS button and control room access, but officials acknowledge the need for faster, tech-enabled solutions. Infra & upkeep shortcomings Beyond the buses, BMTC is tackling broader infrastructural gaps. Of the 9,000 bus shelters in Bengaluru, only 1,400 are electrified, leaving thousands poorly lit and often unsafe at night. The shelters are managed by Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), which has committed to lighting up more shelters. There are also persistent issues of buses not halting at designated stops or skipping stops altogether, adding to the frustration of commuters. Ramachandran admitted that many passenger amenities, such as lounges and waiting rooms at major TTMCs (traffic and transit management centres), suffer from poor upkeep. For instance, at Shantinagar TTMC, waiting rooms and toilets were built for airport-bound passengers more than a decade ago. But poor maintenance has made them nearly unusable.
