Suggestion #15

1. Its obvious the roads in Bangalore are currently incapable of supporting the ever increasing number of vehicles. And its equally obvious that there is no short term solutions to the problem. Why not think of alternatives like reducing the number of vehicles - like staggering the vehicles on the road - by permitting only Even numbered vehicles to ply the roads on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays while Odd numbered vehicles take the road on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Sundays can be sort of free-for-all. This way, the number of vehicles on the road are halved in one step. I admit this will not be a popular solution, but harsh measures are required for harsher problems. Public service vehicles like Police, ambulances, BMTC buses, etc., should be left out of this while all other types of vehicles - both private and public should be brought under the purview of this rule. This is not my idea - this was actually applied in some countries abroad - on short term or long term basis.

2. Another idea - which has already been suggested in this blog - is improving the condition of the roads; not just increasing the width but also the condition. For instance, my office trip takes me along Jakkasandra junction - where the condition of the road is so pathetic, I shudder to even think.

3. This is something which has been tested but not applied seriously in Bangalore, viz., specific lanes for Autos. I have noticed that irrespective of the width/lanes on the road - whether it is two lanes or six lanes - the autos somehow manage to block the whole width of the road. If they are restricted to a single lane, it would certainly improve the flow of traffic.

4. The autos could also be restricted from entering certain high traffic zones. This has been implemented in many Indian cities, like Bombay for instance.

5. Special lanes for BMTC buses would definitely help a lot. As a bus occupies more area of the road, it is logical to say that as long as the bus keeps moving steadily , the better it is for the traffic situation. As the efficiency of bus transport system effects a majority - both the bus users and other road users, this is something which should be given serious consideration. This has been applied successfully in many countries, for instance in London.

6. I travel by bike to office, because I have no other option. I - for one - am ready to take the public transport system if - and thats a very big IF - it is efficient. BMTC buses should run regularly and on time. I admit the traffic and the jams break or delay the schedule, but I've also noticed that the bus drivers are quite sloppy when it comes to sticking to schedules.


For instance I live at HSR Layout, and just a kilometer down the road is Parangipalaya, where all the BMTC routes terminate. I've very often noticed that buses would go to Parangipalaya and stay there for 30-45 minutes at end before returning! I can understand if the driver/conductor take a 10-15minute tea break and return, but no, they just take their own sweet time. As the BMTC has been installing GPS systems on the buses, why can't they monitor this and run it more efficiently?

Another peculiarity often noticed is that three to four buses would go in and come out - in convoy! - after 30-45, thus serving no one in particular, neither the public nor the BMTC. If only they had come out one at a time, with a 10 minute gap in-between, it would have been a lot better. My complaints to BMTC has apparently produced no results.

I'm sure there are many more like me who would readily take their vehicle off the road if only we had a better public transport system.

7. IT and other Companies located in the outskirts of the city are providing transport while those in the city do not. They should be encouraged to provide transport - vans and buses - to their employees which would take a lot of private vehicles off the road