missing the point

murali772 - 21-JAN-2008

Last evening, I happened to watch the ‘Devil’s Advocate’ programme on CNN-IBN, where Karan Thapar was interviewing Sunita Narayan (of CSE). The subject of discussion was TATA motor’s NANO. And, contrary to the norm, both were generally agreed on many of the points that came up.

Why do they do it?

silkboard - 20-JAN-2008

"Richmond Circle", I said as I hopped on to a yellow-black three wheeler. The driver cut across a crowded road to do a flashy U-turn inviting glares and screeches from other motorists. But I knew my journey had begun and I was in safe hands. This is one set of service providers that respects its customers' time, isn't it.

While admiring his deft maneuvering skills, pavement hopping and well timed red-signal jumps, I wished for more entertainment inside the auto. Inhaling soot was the only option - I don't like smoking - so I started watching the meter. Time ticked slowly, so did the meter, but after a few minutes, I witnessed it. 1.50, 1.60, 1.70 ... 1.90, all in about two seconds.

How democratic are we?

blrsri - 18-JAN-2008

When we were talking about the KL monorail, one of the other most glaring topics on monorail came up to my mind. This was about the Seattle monorail. This was voted out by the public of Seattle. Financial reasons was stated as the reason. Again when I was in Boston, a Bangladeshi lady came to me for a signature campaign. She needed this to set up a hotel in Boston. Why arent we using this in the biggest democracy in the world? Shouldnt we use the public opinion more for implimenting something?

Bangalore CTTP Update

tsubba - 17-JAN-2008

Karnataka Government has begun work on the CTTP by starting consultations with the Union Urban Development Ministry (UUD) on implementing the plan. State additional chief secretary Niraja Rajkumar, submitted the plan and made a detailed presentation to Union Urban Development Secretary M Ramachandran on Jan 15, 2008. The plan incldes various projects to be implemented in three phases - 2007-12, 2013-18 and 2019-24 at a total cost of 46,994 crore rupees.

East loop of Outer Ring Road (Silkboard - Marathahalli - Hebbal) should get:

Vasanth - 15-JAN-2008

* Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) * Monorail (Like the west loop, so full ORR will be monorail * Increased frequency of buses (Refer Murali's post on Indore bus system)

Indore buses: sure better than Bangalore, but not good enough!

murali772 - 12-JAN-2008

I am referring to the Indore bus services, which has been touted by many as the World's best public-private bus partnership - Indore. I had raised a few questions about the Indore model, vide my posting under the caption ‘better bussing’ on 22nd Dec, ’07.

Subsequently, I had attended the seminar on ‘Effective Traffic Management’ convened jointly by the DPAR and Centre for Public Policy, IIM, Bangalore, at the Vikas Soudha on the 4th Jan, at which a presentation was made by Mr Shukla from Indore (he had come in place of Mr Vivek Agarwal, IAS, Dist Magistrate, who had conceived the entire scheme and who was originally supposed to come), and the answers to the questions I had raised became more or less clear, based on which I have drawn my conclusions.

Is BRTS right for all cities?

asj - 10-JAN-2008

I am aware that much needs doing with regards enhancing public transport in all Indian cities. What I am not convinced is whether all cities should have a BRT. Could there be simpler options that are more cost-effective? My answer to this question is a 'yes'.

BMLTA and Public Transport

admin123 - 10-JAN-2008

Traffic is one thing and Public Transport another. Traffic is about moving vehicles, public transport people. Something like BTRAC is aimed at traffic management - wider roads, flyovers, signals an stuff. Enforcement on roads, how to drive etc are also more like traffic topics. Getting to know and discuss the upcoming BMLTA, tracking BMTC's efforts to enhance its services, and watching BMLTA, BMTC and Metro all work together to create public transport infrastructure - all this needs a dedicated 'forum' of its own.

So, we have created a new high level project (see the list under "track projects') for the purpose. We expect that folks like Mr Muralidhar Rao, Sudhir, Vasanth, City.zen and others would contribute their awareness, knowledge and opinions there. Use the "Public Transport" label if you want your posts/threads to appear under this 'project'.

Of Traffic, Planning & BMLTA

tsubba - 6-JAN-2008

For a while we have been discussing the need for an integrated authority to address issues of transportation and traffic. There is a new authority precisely for this. Bangalore Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA). If that does not ring a bell, then you are not alone. Chief secretary, A Ravindra, says it is the same with other organizations that ought to be working with it.

His observations about the systemic problems with BMLTA, gave an oppurtunity to consolidate the discussions we have had on this, along with the observations he has made. Read on & opine

What happened to BRTS between Hebbal and Silkboard on outer ring road?

Vasanth - 6-JAN-2008

BRTS - A more buzzing word nowadays with most of the urban transport planners and educational institutions. IIT professors and Volvo marketing personnels are especially pushing this technology showing the cost benefits and ease of implementation. Bangalore MRTS plan contains a BRTS corridor from Hebbal to Silkboard along outer ring road. But, nothing is heard about that so far such as who is going to implement, is it going to be BOOT/BMTC owned etc. If at all if BRTS is confirmed on this part, then why delay?