Commute

With the public objecting to a recent move to pull down old bus shelters and replace them with new ones, the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) has now ordered the private firms (who were awarded the contracts) to stop dismantling these shelters temporarily. (Bus shelters are also called bus stands.)In a decision taken about ten days ago, after media reports and objections from citizens, the advertisement department of the BBMP has decided to first conduct an inspection before proceeding with the work. Says Hari Narayan, Assistant Executive Engineer, Advertisement department, "We have told them not to dismantle until joint inspection.…

The latest realistically estimated date for the opening of the Whitefield railway overbridge is June 1st 2010. On February 19th, a new contractor, Banashankari-based KPR Constructions took over the unfinished project. KPR Constructions, which takes on Railways contracts along with sister concern Balaji Builders, is headed by N Kumar, Managing Partner. A steel girder segment at the Kadugodi yard next the Whitefield Railway Station has been painted as part of readying for launch. Pic: Subramaniam Vincent. Speaking to Citizen Matters from Hubli on the telephone, Vijay Kumar, Chief Administrative Officer, South Western Railway, said the bridge will be ready "in…

If you didn’t convert to a bus commuter last month, here is another chance. BMTC has solicited citizen support and cooperation for March Bus Day on Thursday, 4th March 2010, after a moderately successful first time event on February 4th.  BMTC says they have taken into account feedback about February Bus Day and have made arrangements for a better experience for March Bus Day. They have added new routes and new corridors.This time, BMTC is focusing on the following five corridors of the city, where buses will ply more frequently: •    Old Madras Road•    Banerghatta Road•    Old Airport Road •  …

The issue of road widening promises to get more charged as residents, traders and property owners of Dr Rajkumar Road threaten to take out emotive protests against the BBMP’s development plans for the road. This 5 km stretch of road in northwest Bangalore, from Karnataka Soaps and Detergents Factory Ltd to Prasanna Theatre, has been earmarked by BBMP for construction of a signal-free corridor. The property owners and tenants along Rajkumar Road, led by Citizen’s Support Group (CSG) Dr Rajkumar Road, are calling the plan an “urban disaster,” and are opposing the road widening project with the argument that road…

This is something I would loved to have participated in if I'd been in Bangalore....do participate! Cycle Rally - 7th March 2010The Event: 'Go Green Bangalore' - A Cycle Rally in Bangalore on Sunday, 7th March 2010, 6.30 am.The Task: Cycling 21 kms : Kanteerva Stadium - Hebbal Flyover - Kanteerva Stadium.The Cause:· To commemorate International Women's Day.· To tell Bangalore that it is time to Go Green and Healthy.· To urge the Government to create cycling and walking lanes around the city.Participation: Anyone and everyone who believes in cleaner and greener Bangalore. Beg, borrow, buy a cycle and be…

The city's infrastructure needs are growing by the day. Development plans are created and implemented almost daily. Are a woman's needs addressed in these plans? Or do they have to make do with generic plans that help no one in particular? Like the city's subways?Recently, I was waiting at the Bommanahalli signal and saw a young college girl scurry across the road, risking vehicles whizzing past at full speed. She did not use the new subway that has been open for trials for the last few months. As I waited for the signal to turn green I watched more women,…

Have you ever wondered what to carry with you on a long ride? Have you been puzzled by how to administer first-aid to a fallen bicyclist? Have you seen bollywood movies where the hero beats on the chest of the his sweet-heart and brings her back to consciousness and wondered if that is really needed? Do you know why a male army doctor and an ardent bicyclist carried a sanitary napkin with him on our trip to Muthathi?Find answers to all your questions on Saturday, February 20th at 6PM in the evening at our BOTS. Click here (http://www.bumsonthesaddle.com/contact) for location.Dr.Major…

Come February 16th and it will be a crucial day for the first Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) proposal for Bangalore. Karnataka's Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) has called for a meeting of the BDA, BMTC, Rail India Technical and Economic Society (RITES) and Infrastructure Development Corporation ( Karnataka) Limited (iDECK) on that day to discuss the BRTS proposal. In BRTS, BMTC buses will run higher speeds than usual in part because of dedicates bus lanes, allowing commuters to reach destinations faster. If the BRTS gets the Cabinet nod, it will first be implemented along the Outer Ring Road,…

Well, 'Bus day' was a day full of excitement, anxiety and fun. Thanks to BMTC and all those folks involved in the brilliant initiative of ‘Bus Day' in Bengaluru. Ever since I took the bus to my office in the morning, I had rented out my ears, eyes and mind to the happenings around me.Most of the social networking sites: Facebook, Twitter, Orkut carried a lot of updates on ‘Bus Day'. I could see many of my fellow buddies tweeting about them. They would read as "BMTC here I come... #busday" or "Took the bus to work today on #busday…

My daily journey from my home at Kaggadasapura, C V Raman Nagar to my office at Seshadripuram starts at 8.30 AM in the morning. The distance is about 15 kilometres. I generally take 40 minutes on my two wheeler to reach office. Traffic condition deters me to take out my four wheeler and I find my motorbike more convenient.I had never considered public transport as an alternative. The 'Bus Day' initiative intrigued me and I wanted to give it a try.My travel to office can be summed up as follows: I started off at around 8.20 AM. Fifteen minutes of…