The Government of Karnataka has initiated the process of setting up eight multi-model transit hubs in Bengaluru city to connect bus, metro or rail networks.
The Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) has floated a tender for selection of a consultancy firm to design Intermodal Transit Hubs in Bengaluru.
DULT was set up by the Government of Karnataka (GoK) with the objective to coordinate planning and implementation of urban transport projects and programs. The Directorate is in general responsible for overseeing all the urban land transport initiatives in Urban/ Local Planning Areas of Karnataka and administers the State Urban Transport Fund (SUTF).
The government has identified eight locations in the outlying areas in North, South, East, and West directions to the Bengaluru city. The intermodal transit hubs are going to come up in Challaghatta-Mysore Road (West direction), Baiyyappanahalli- Existing BMRCL terminal, KR Puram (East direction), Peenya- Existing BMTC Terminal (North-West Direction), Bommasandra in existing BMRCL land (South direction).
The government is yet to identify the location for three more transit hubs in Old Madras road and Peripheral Ring Road (PRR) junction (East direction), Bellary road and PRR junction (North direction), Kadugodi (East direction).
The facilities to be developed at the transit hubs are broadly divided into two categories: passenger amenities and physical integration. Under passenger amenities, they have planned to include a waiting room, washroom, cloakroom facility, food stalls, small shops, and help desk.
One of the most important elements of transport integration is the provision of interchange facilities. Required inter-changes will be between the proposed mass transit systems such Metro, BRTS, proposed suburban rail, and with other feeder services
The interchange points are likely to provision for well planned pedestrian facilities like network of foot over bridges allows easy movement of passengers between the bus terminal, metro station and railway station. The access roads to proposed interchange points have been proposed to be strengthened.
The other inter-change facilities will include circulation facilities and adequate parking areas for various modes that are likely to come to important stations including feeder, bus/mini-bus. Retail commercial and office spaces are likely proposed to be provided at these interchange locations to make this more attractive and convenient. This will also aid in improving the demand of the public transport system.