According to the survey, more than 28% of current bus riders in Bengaluru said their trip times had improved since the bus lane’s introduction.
The most recent Bus Priority Lanes (BPL) survey by Greenpeace India provides information on the BPL’s benefits for journey time and potential remedies for Bengaluru’s air pollution crisis.
The Indian division of the international environmental NGO Greenpeace is called Greenpeace India.
Based on an on-board survey of 979 bus riders, the study “Relying on bus: Studying the impacts of Bengaluru’s bus lane on bus use” was published. It took place from May to July of 2022. The bus lane, which was introduced in 2019 and withdrawn in the middle of 2022 owing to metro construction, ran along the Outer Ringer Road (ORR) for a distance of around 18.5 kilometers.
According to the poll, more over 28% of current bus riders said that since the bus lane was put in place, their journey times have improved. A reduction in travel time from 60 to 90 minutes to 30 to 60 minutes was reported by 54% of respondents, which was particularly notable for those traveling greater distances. In addition, 82% of respondents said they had generally pleasant experiences with the bus lanes.
Greenpeace India campaigner Amruta SN remarked, “Despite its short length, the bus priority lane attracted new users, notably women. 3% of respondents started using public buses as a result of the bus lane’s installation. The bus lane has a gender-beneficial effect because the vast majority of these “new” users (73%) are female. These results overwhelmingly support our suggestion to add bus priority lanes to the already-mapped DULT (Directorate of Urban Land Transport) routes.
The survey also showed how strongly respondents supported expanding the number of bus lanes in the city. 86% of the respondents agreed that the bus lane system should be expanded, naming important locations as Hebbal, Tin Factory, Silk Board, Marathahalli, Whitefield, Electronic City, BTM layout, Majestic, and KR Puram as examples. Some others even demanded the implementation of bus lanes throughout the entire city.
Greenpeace India’s campaign manager, Avinash Chanchal, emphasized the connection between Bengaluru’s transportation issues and its air pollution catastrophe. Heavy traffic congestion makes a considerable contribution to air pollution because it causes cars to generate particulate matter and nitrogen oxide, both of which are dangerous pollutants. Bengaluru’s air quality has continuously been among the worst in India, endangering the health of its citizens, particularly those in vulnerable groups including children, the elderly, pregnant women, and those with respiratory or cardiovascular disorders, the official added.
“In order to address this problem, we must strengthen Bengaluru’s public transit system and make investments in infrastructure like bus lanes, bicycle lanes, and pedestrian walkways. As a result, there would be a major decrease in the number of private automobiles on the roads, which will also cut pollution, Chanchal said.
The research made the point that Bengaluru’s public transportation system will be significantly improved if the city gives the eleven additional suggested bus lanes priority and implements them. We can improve the effectiveness and dependability of our public transportation system by designating lanes specifically for buses, which will ultimately result in sustainable and practical mobility for citizens, it was stated.
Source- Hindustan times
Link- https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/bus-lanes-cut-travel-time-help-tackle-pollution-in-bengaluru-report-101695324533438.html
