Integrate different public transport systems in Bengaluru: Experts

Bengaluru: Namma Metro progressing slowly and by 2020, it is expected to connect to most parts of the city, if not the vital ones. Last-mile connectivity and feeder services are going to be the need of the hour.

The Metro rail at the moment has a smart card system that lets people top up and travel when needed, but for taking a bus to the Metro station you still need a bus pass. Why can’t a common pass or smart card system be introduced for both modes of transport? Why cannot the officials implement an integrated transport management system? This would help people to easily change different modes of transport and use the city’s mass transport system more effectively.

Curitiba city in Brazil uses an integrated management system that city managers should look into. Managed by Urbanizao de Curitiba, the system runs without any state subsidy. According to a study by Sweden’s Uppsala University, the system has the highest user rates of all Brazilian state capitals. Almost 75% of all weekday commuters use the system which eases traffic on the roads and that too when Curitiba has seen an unprecedented growth.

Transport expert M.N. Srihari said, “Our transport system is a failure. The need of the hour is an Integrated Multimodal Transport for Sustainability System. The government needs to look at integrating all modes of transport. In 50 years, we should have various modes of public transport, including Metro, Monorail, feeder bus services, cabs and autos. All of these need to be integrated so the bigger services are served by smaller feeder services.”

Lamenting that the government has ignored the basic need for integrating different modes of public transport, he said, “The government must seriously consider and work on integrating the system. This begins with basics such as providing good pothole-free roads. I wonder why the government is not taking any action on this.”  

Mobility expert and IISc scientist Dr Ashish Varma said, “An integrated multimodal transport for sustainability system is the only way the city can survive. Bengaluru’s population has grown to over 11 million. Also, there is uneven penetration of public transport. This needs to be addressed.”

With a population that will only rise in the coming years, Bengaluru is heading towards a certain disaster. It is about time the government seriously considered an integrated transport system that is sustainable, urban experts said.