Bengaluru may not be able to shrug off the dubious distinction of being the most-congested city despite the expansion of several mass transit systems, if one goes by the recently releasedKarnataka Economic Survey2021-2022.
Even if phases I, II and III of Metro rail are fully completed and operational and BMTC bus fleet is doubled to 15,000, Bengalurus public transport share will drop from the present 50% to 30% by 2031, the report said. At present, Bengaluru witnesses 10 million trips (including public and private transport) per day, which will reach 23 million by 2031. Hence, the solution is to initiate a major overhaul of BMTC, especially electric buses (10,000 e-buses), the survey added.
There is an immediate need for introducing theBus Rapid Transit(BRT) system. It could be elevated or at-grade corridors if road width is available. Its advisable to build elevated BRT system for at least 200km in Bengaluru to immediately ease traffic.
The survey said theres a need to issues with first-and last-mile connectivity, which has the potential to enhance Metro ridership and reduce the use of personal vehicles