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Meeting with Mr Tripathy, BMTC - Summary

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silkboard - 22 May, 2008 | Bangalore | BMTC | public transport

So it did happen. Naveen, Murali sir, Vasanth, Praveen, myself got 30 minutes of Mr Tripathy's time in his office. After introducing Praja etc, we were planning to present our (rather, Naveen's) slides on single dedicated lane based BRTS idea. But Mr Tripathy said he was short on time, and would look at it later at leisure. However, he warned us that he just can't do BRTS by himself. He is only a bus operator, and owns only the rolling stock. We should go to other bodies (BBMP/BDA/Traffic police to get non-rolling stock infrastructure for BRTS) to push for it. He then updated us on the BRTS-on-ORR project a bit. He seemed well versed with BRTS, its need and advantages, Bogota etc. Though, his take on the key reason for the success of buses at Bogota is - the interesting ways in that city ran campaigns to educate citizens on road discipline.



We came to back to Praja, and asked him on how he can help us establish a working relationship with BMTC. And the first thing he said was this, "if you guys can commit to sitting with us 5-7 day a month, I will give you space right here next to my office". It was almost like he teased us, "So tell me, can you sign up for that commitment!?". We said, well. Can't ensure that same 5 guys can show up 5 days a month. But a constant number will show up, and that too without any break in continuity. Plus, we would use technology to include more folks 'virtually'. He said fine, as long as you tell me some key guys who will stay engaged, let us try see how you can help us.

Our 30 minute slot ended right then. But he asked us to hang around if we had time. Time we did have, except for Vasanth who hadn't taken the full day off. Minus Vasanth, we watched a presentation by an IIM guy on GPS based bus tracking and information system (like Yelli Idira) they are planning tp use in BIAL services. Past that, Mr Tripathy made us sit with Mr Nusrat Khan, who told us a lot of interesting things about BMTC's operations/problems etc. Past that, we were asked to stay on for lunch with Mr Tripathy (thanks BMTC), Half an hour of lunch time was spent learning various aspects of BMTC. Mr Tripathy and Murali sir's friendly digs at each other on the subject of privatization added a good dose of light humor as well.

During the lunch chat, we happened to ask him about "local loop" service (remember our last mile connectivity discussions here), and were told that BMTC is going to launch, in a day or two - hold your breath - a BMTC branded auto service!! This was sort of announced about a month ago (See mention of first mile connection in this Hindu article), but we thought this was only for BIAL services. We dont want to steal BMTC or local newspapers' thunder, so more details on it later. But here is a short summary:

  • about 4500-5000 autos,
  • with GPS and some more gadgetry
  • single point to point ticketing (bus to auto)
  • autos tied to a TTMC,
  • will be monitored and incentivized to do short distance trips from bus stand to nearby houses/businesses

GPS based bus tracking with SMS interface, and then this attempt at last mile connectivity, wow said we!! However, Naveen and rest of us told Mr Tripathy that the only thing missing in the picture (to woo the car drivers) is promise of faster travel times. A subtle point made again about BRTS or a variant, isn't again :)

So anyway. This was not all. There were a lot of things said and discussed, but its hard to type it all in one post here. More as we find relevance.

Here we are then, back after interesting 2 hours at BMTC office with Mr Tripathy and staff. He did throw it back to us, and is testing if we can offer committed time to help BMTC on things we think we can help on. He did say he is short of traffic and transportation expertise in-house. Mention of word "experts" made us put a disclaimer, "Not all of us have stellar and relevant resumes, but collectively, our community has the knowledge, besides the end-user experience and expectations. Our help will be a mix of suggestions, reviews, and constructive criticism".

Shall we test ourselves then? This sets us up nicely to start our first working group here on Praja. Action time folks, lets see how many of us are game to take the next step. Watch the announcement regarding "working groups".

[PS: Will be updating the post as and when others present today (Murali sir, Naveen, Praveen, Vasanth) point out errors and important omissions]

COMMENTS

Single Ticket

Bengloorappa - 23 May, 2008 - 02:14

I think I have heard that the BMTC auto's would issue a single ticket right up to the destination, including the auto travel.

Great going folks, how I wish I was able to join your meetings with our civic organizations that matter so much in day-to-day Bangalore life.

Please put out a word if you need any offshore help.

Thanks a lot for the update,

kiran8 - 23 May, 2008 - 04:48

Thanks a lot for the update, itis heartening to know that we do have committed officials who are receptive to new ideas..that is a great beginning and i am sure that Praja will go a long way, with dedicated members like yourselves......i extend all my support and help to praja if and when needed

Thanks once again


http://kiran8-various.blogspot.com/

BMTC Meeting - Excellent

Naveen - 23 May, 2008 - 01:44

 

SB - A fine summary.

The visit provided a good insight about BMTC's perspective with regard to various issues & how they are placed in the heirarchy within various govt bodies.

This was an excellent start & our enegagements with BMTC must continue & for that, we need support from all.

Mr.Tripathy's demeanor, his confidence & very rational views were fully evident & I beleive we can engage with him very easily as he is very open to suggestions.

 

Great ! This is the way to go.......

kbsyed61 - 22 May, 2008 - 21:10

SB,

 Thanks for updating us on the meeting with Mr. Tripathy. I wish I could be in B'lore to be on-board for this working group. Even though I am miles away, but my services are always available. Pls feel free to assign me any work that can done overseas/off-site.

 Guys you truly proving that Praja is not a "ARMCHAIR - CRITIC" community. 

Meanhwile, if you get a chance next time can you ask him about:

1. Rationalization of Bus Routes - Like running busses on Main Road in one stretch like Malleswaram to Modi Hosipital and beyond. And run sub-routes which runs perpendicular to this long route for last mile connectivity. Not on all routes but on many routes. 

2. Transit Centers to support/allow transit to Private transports, Taxis, Autos and Park& Ride facilities.

 Thanks in advance.

Syed 

Way to go contd.

Transmogrifier - 22 May, 2008 - 21:17

Awesome work! Finally people who are moving beyond words! Keep us posted on when and where we can pitch in.

transmogrifier

Single Ticket - Transfer facility

kbsyed61 - 22 May, 2008 - 21:18

SB,

 May be nex

Next time pls do ask him about:

 Purchasing a single ticket for the whole journey irrespective of hops he/she takes to reach the destination.

 

volunteer!

narayan82 - 23 May, 2008 - 03:49

I am sure I can spare a day a month to volunteer on behalf of Praja, to be at the BMTC office. Ofcourse if I am free will be happy to come for more than 1 if required. Looks like BMTC is going to take alot of initiatives on Public Transport, an thier openess to new ideas and listening to others is also very encouraging.

How about BRTS on IRR to EC?

blrsri - 23 May, 2008 - 06:49

This is neat indeed..4 saturdays a month is not an issue to get holed up at the BMTC office..

Btw was passing thru the double road bus stop today..and as always its looked nicely built but unfortunately totally underutilized!

Was there any discussions on the IRR BRTS that we discussed here?

Replies to some qns

silkboard - 23 May, 2008 - 09:24

Syed - Rationalization and 'nomenclature' of bus routes is one thing he himself suggested we can take up as one area of help. Discussion on privatization is what lead us to hearing about branded auto service. Wouldn't it be like BMTC's first half-move or foray there. We had Park & Ride and couple of other things on mind (from that questions thread), but didn't have enough time.

Blrsri - He only mentioned BRT on ORR. Its going be the center lane approach (I think two bus lanes in the middle). BDA is the authority of concern there, as they own that roads on outskirts of central area.

We will need all the help here, please be ready :)

Plan for Division of work

bangalorean - 23 May, 2008 - 17:28

There are a lot of aspects and lot of areas to be covered. Hence i would request each one of you to look into one area which needs to be improved in terms of BMTC and connectivity. The plan can be very simply put this way. 1. Each person collects what is needd in his area 2. Write it as a document or prepares a presentation 3. Collect all the documents and then see what needs to be done area by area Can we do this way. I hope i am not talking too much. And people can keep in touch for various updates for that area. I hope i am not asking too much, as the amount of work is too huge..... A small ...... This can be repeated in all the aspects, if more people voluteer then we can have a grt working (Takes some time)..

Some Routes

Vasanth - 24 May, 2008 - 14:26

Well, the transport integration at Majestic with Railways is very pathetic. Shuttle service at Rs. 3 using Swaraj Mazda to back gate of the Railway Station.

There can be a full skywalk all the way from KBS Bus Stand till Railway Station Footover Bridge with ticket counters on the right side of the footover bridge where a restaurant is located.

 

BMTC meeting - very good

s_yajaman - 24 May, 2008 - 14:37

SB and others,

This is truly encouraging.  It shows that people in power are at least willing to listen as long as we dont keep on beating them up.  These things need several strikes before they get nailed. 

Let's talk soon and see if some of us can commit 3-4 days a month instead of 5-7.  We have to be mentally prepared that not ONE of our recos will see the light of day. 

Srivathsa

 

 

Great to see the extra

balnu147 - 25 May, 2008 - 12:48

Great to see the extra effort praja is taking to push BRTS.

But are they really going to intrduce 4k more autos? Isn't the city overcrowded already?

Anything to get the cars off the road

Photoyogi - 25 May, 2008 - 14:10

Getting the cars off the road is a proactive way of reducing congestion. FYI bout a year back i was involved with some taxi management system I was told that there are over 70,000 autos on the roads. Just imagine if 50% of this auto users started using cars for their usual commutes to (school/work/shopping)

-- Praveen Sundaram AkA PhotoYogi

Very encouraging... please count me in

surajshekar - 30 May, 2008 - 19:50

Hi all,

First of all, kudos to the team for making the meeting at such level a reality. It is really heartening to see "Praja" going this far. Actually, I had asked in one of the threads that if there was any way of effectively representing, elaborating the suggestions and ideas coming out at “Praja”? This event answers my query and it is good to note that the BMTC folks are willing to listen to people to improve the situation. It could bring in more transparency about the progress of the initiative and expose the real time factors which we may miss out while discussing here. May be this is the silver lining or the breakthrough which could just trigger things for us.

As I stay in Mysore, I am willing and excited to render any sort of offshore help to the Praja representatives/frontrunners with this initiative.

Good luck

Suraj

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