BMTC's bus bay plan hits roadblock

Bengaluru: BMTC’s move to have an extensive network of bus bays near the city’s busy junctions, to ease traffic congestion, has run aground with BBMP showing reluctance to implement them, citing high land costs.

BMTC recently introduced bus bays at some major junctions such as Corporation Circle, P. Kalingarao Road, Mission Road, Residency Road (Near Mayo Hall), Bishop Cotton School, Nrupathunga Road, Jayadeva Hospital and BTM Layout among other bus stops in the city.

However, when BMTC recently approached BBMP to provide 10 more bus bays in the city, the latter was cool to it.

BMTC sources told Deccan Chronicle, "The government has instructed to build bus bays in 10 major junctions, but BBMP claims they will have to spend huge sums for land acquisition. But we still hope to build these bus bays.”

A BMTC source said that drivers are overworked as they have to multi-task while driving. During peak hours, some of them do not park at designated stops as they may be already occupied. The corporation is conducting regular workshops and training sessions for drivers to raise awareness.

"Bus bay concept is welcome. Right now we have only few of them in the city. Both BMTC and BBMP should work together and come up with a plan to provide more bus bays," said Kiran Kumar, a regular bus commuter.