The CAR owners are certainly feeling the heat because of the hardship of traffic jams. Although the thing could have been planned better but i do not think we have any choice even if it is to be implemented shoddily. As such the stabilisation will take time but the concerned authorities must work with determination to make it a success. As in developed nations the PARKING charges for cars and two wheelers must increase manifold to discourage use of these vehicles. It can be Rs. 100/- for first one hr and Rs. 50/- for subsequent hrs for cars and about 50% of these rates for two wheelers in South Delhi areas and in CP.
The BRT initiative was overdue. It will be only a matter of time before it becomes a necessity and not a choice in a city like Delhi. Given its complicated nature and our lack of expertise , it is bound to cause inconvenience to people , at least initially. That is why the implementation needs meticulous planning to overcome the glitches , one by one. MORE AND MORE THE CAR PEOPLE FIND IT ATTRACTIVE TO SWITCH TO BRT , THE GREATER WILL BE ITS SUCCESS, A DIRECT PROPORTIONAL CORRELATION FOR SURE. For that to happen, increase in Number of buses, Bus Trains, Light Trains and other forms of increased bus services in BRT corridors together with other bridge, cross-over infrastructure , pick up shuttles from various bus stops etc. will have to be put in place. In addition, most of the public and private offices should introduce Employees Buses for all of its staff and these Employee buses should also be allowed to ply in the BRT corridors. For any such new scheme to become successful, the topmost authorities must get involved fully with total belief .
Delhi BRT corridor, being in such criticism from media, I would like to draw your attention on some reasoning why BRT should be encouraged and improved.
Simple calculation People who love BRT - Thousands to people who zip through the corridors on buses, who's voice is not counted anywhere. People who hate BRT - hundreds who don't want to leave their cars at any cost, including media representatives and other rich & influential.
So a clear reason why so much media bashing is going on where public transport is given top priority. Why was the gurgaon expressway not closed when it caused problems? Because Gurgaon expressway was Private vehicle friendly. Unfortunately BRT is against private vehicles, but favours public transport.
Why doesn't any paper or news channel showcase bus users' delight when they zip across the corridor. Is it because no media or political representative travel by bus or is it, or the so-called 'citizen's groups' who love to talk about public transport, but take huge cars even within walking distances.
To get the actual taste the CM should have crossed on the BRT stretch in a bus to check the comfort level. Bus commuters are the happiest lot in this exercise. This is the first time our govt has done a policy which is NOT Private vehicle friendly and the entire media is up against it.
All is needed is better implementation not scrapping. Make huge fines, say Rs5000 for a bike coming in the cycle lane and see how things improve in a
RE:Sugessions on BRT - It is useful to general public, please encourage it.
by Saurabh Joshi on Apr 28, 2008 11:52 AM Permalink
I have a few inputs 4 BRT. Currently I am in Jakarta, Indonesia and we have a BRT system here which runs very efficiently. Having looked at Jakarta BRT, here are my inputs: 1. Transjakarta (Jakarta BRT) has bus shelters that are connected to both sides of roads by foot-overbridges. People don't have to run thru traffic to catch buses (and they are not allowed to). 2. There are dedicated special buses for the corridor. The doors are pneumatic (driver controlled) which ensures that people can get on or off only at the bus stops. Other local buses (like blue lines) are not allowed on the corridor). 3. Other local buses like blue lines for delhi are slowly taken off the routes of BRT as the fleet of special high capacity buses builds on and frequency improves. 4. The biggest thing: SELF DISCIPLINE. Discipline among drivers is an absolute must for BRT. Inspite of being a poorer country than India, Indonesians are well disciplined and are generally aware of the road rules.
Like Delhi, Jakarta also faces very heavy traffic situations. But instead of cribbing, people here try to adjust to new rules and guidelines for new systems. As suggested by my points above, the BRT in Delhi has some design flaws. But they can be overcome with experience and more money. The biggest problem is Indian public's atttitude that refuses to change. Somehow if we could learn to respect rules, 80% of our problems will vanish. And fellow Indians, please stop being sarcastic to evry new project!!!!
1) BRT is a good idea in current scenario where pollition is hign and crude prices are peak level. 2) The road made for BRT should not take curren space avaialble in normal road. Instead new space should be created near the current roads 3) People who do not have any vehicle are not creating pollution and people who own car are creating polltion. Why nonpolluting people shuld suffer polluting people. Concept like carbon credit should be developed so that polluting people would give money to non-polluting people. 4) Companies are indulging by giving cars to their enginerrs and coroporates working at office. Actually fellows having tablework do not neccessarirly need cars. They should public transport instead. 5) Better lower the production of new cars. If somebody wants to buy new car, then he shold give some old car that will be scrapped. This way there will be control over number of cars adding on the road.
RE:Handle BRT properly
by LOTUS on Apr 26, 2008 12:03 PM Permalink
WHY DOESNT ANYBODY TALK ABOUT POPULATION !!! INDIANS ARE REPRODUCING LIKE ANIMALS. NO ONE IS SATISFIED WITHOUT 3 KIDS. AND THEN THEY TALK ABOUT - TRAFFIC JAMS, PARKING PROBLEM, COSTLY LAND, COST OF LIVING, LACK OF JOBS, ETC ETC.
My question is "why 'non-populating' citizens should suffer because of 'irresponsible' 'populating' citizens ????
RE:Handle BRT properly
by Sharad on Apr 26, 2008 12:52 PM Permalink
Valid Point. Indians are not very sharp when it comes to thinking and producing a great nation. In this world the few RESPONSIBLE CITIZENS keep the societies running and developing, whereas the IRRESPONSIBLE profilerate.
RE:Handle BRT properly
by LOTUS on Apr 26, 2008 02:35 PM Permalink
Thanks for at least one voice endorsing me. Let government make as many 'corridors' roads, lanes and what not, they will always prove to be inadequate for us, as the growth of our population is exponential and development will always remain linear in growth.
To the doom of our country, no party will dare to touch the population issue, after 'unpopularity' in Emergency era in 1975
why not these so called environmentalists first give us decent & good transport system in Delhi so that we can approve of BRTS. Since they don't have to use this horrible stretch everyday, it's very COOL to say that it is needed. Yes, it could have done wonders had they studided it well & arranged a good back up of public transport system well in advance but then again WHAT'S THE POINT IN BANGING YOUR HEAD AGAINST THE WALL (READ 'ENVIRONMENTALISTS')
Future Planning : India needs a robust family planning policy Current Planning : BRT wont solve the problem of pollution or road congestion. Metro must be extended like a tree and more areas must be joined to already existing stations by shuttle metro services.
Did not the Delhi metro solve these issues? If it didn't, then Delhi civic authorities and NGOs should probably study why and publicise it to the nation - other cities like Bangalore are introducing metro mainly on the hype that it has solved all of Delhi's traffic problems. I'm surprised to see even with the Delhi metro, statements like "environmentalists said public transport is the only way out of Delhi's double trauma" and "...lose its war against growing traffic and increasing pollution, without an effective and massive public transport system".
