Priority corridor to make ride a glide

For the first time in the city, the BMTC has proposed a ‘Priority Corridor’ for BMTC buses and other emergency service vehicles like ambulance and fire service, from Majestic to ITPL. If the idea comes through, then ITPL-bound passengers can well say goodbye to the long waits at traffic signals. The aim of the Priority Corridor, to be launched in three months on a pilot project basis, is complete corridor capacity utilization without spending huge money. It will also help cut about 30 per cent of the travel time and fuel and also encourage use of public transport. All that the BMTC is doing is integrate with the signals and operate scientifically, said Chief Traffic Manager (Operations) M. P. Prabhudas.

The BMTC would dedicate the extreme left lane of the road between Majestic and ITPL as the ‘priority corridor’ which only BMTC buses, ambulances and fire services can use. The initiative is being endorsed and supported by BBMP, BDA, DULT, traffic police and IISc. However, ensuring the corridor is free from other vehicles is a challenging task and needs solid support from public and traffic cops, he said. IISc will be extending the simulation technique and a survey is on to get public feedback and to study the traffic volume on the corridor. The BBMP and BDA have decided to upgrade the pedestrian facility and passenger information system, he added.

The priority lanes will run on a mixed corridor at some points where priority lanes cannot be maintained, he said. At most of the junctions, the priority lanes will be free of signals. Where the signals are unavoidable, buses will have to halt. The project has been initiated on this corridor because no major public transport projects like Metro were being taken up here. “During peak hours, traveling from KBS to ITPL takes about two hours.

However, once the project is initiated, the travel time will be reduced by 30 per cent. The project is aimed at attracting non-peak hour travelers too as the corridor has some major attractions like malls,shopping complexes,” said Mr Das. The priority corridor would be separated from rest of the road by erecting fibre cones and using manpower to keep the corridor free for buses. Strong enforcement of the corridor will be ensured by the BMTC.