Bangalore Metro: BMRCL Plans Bus Bays Near Stations In Phase II, Invites Public To Comment On Draft Policy

The Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) plans to join hands with the traffic police, BMTC, BBMP and the DULT to conduct surveys along Phase II corridors to identify spots nearing upcoming metro stations to see the requirement of bus bays, auto/taxi stands or zebra crossings, the Times of India reports.

Sources say the access improvement plans come after the BMRCL has learnt the flaws of Phase I stations and decided to work on a proper traffic management system before the phase is operational. Metro stations in Phase II is likely to be completed by 2024.

The bus bays near Metro stations would provide commuters safe access to BMTC’s feeder services. The BMRCL has been extensively criticised for not creating bus bays as it is impossible to park buses for over five minutes.

“We want to provide facilities like bus bays at all 62 upcoming Metro stations under Phase II. We are coordinating with different agencies and planning to survey pedestrian and vehicular traffic at places where the stations are being set up. Bus buys will also reduce traffic bottlenecks near stations,” a senior BMRCL official said.

The BMRCL’s Transit Oriented Development (TOD) policy has recommended running high-frequency minibuses instead of regular buses, a fixed fare, conductor-less buses, agency tie-up with taxi aggregators to boost first and last-mile connectivity.

The BMRCL has also invited the public to comment on the draft policy by mailing to todcomments@bmrc.co.in. The TOD draft policy is available on the BMRCL website.