Bengaluru: After the purple line of Namma Metro (from Byappanahalli to Mysuru Road) was thrown open to the public, the traffic flow on the Mysuru Road and adjoining areas have become smoother and there is less crowding in buses.
The difference is palpable between Nayandahalli Junction and City Market, a distance of nearly seven kilometres. It is also visible on approach roads such as 100 feet Outer Ring Road, Chord Road and Tank Bund Road that connect Mysuru Road.
The newly opened East-West corridor ferries almost a lakh commuters a day and 1.10 lakh during weekends, almost three times more than other operational stretches of metro.
“At the green line connecting Mantri Square on Sampige Road to Nagasandra, the rider-ship on a weekday is around 35,000 to 40,000 with a 5,000 increase during weekends,” said a spokesperson from BMRCL.
“The East-West corridor ridership is expected to rise further after the schools and colleges reopen in the month of June. Almost everyday since the East-West line became operational, the trains are running full and we have even increased the frequency of trains - from one train every 10 minutes to one every 8 minutes,” the spokesperson added.
Traffic cops free
Due to the decongestion, traffic policemen of the west division are relieved as their workload has now come down. “We now have time to enforcing rules and penalise those not wearing helmets, not using seat belts and other traffic violations, which we tend to overlook when there is a heavy traffic flow,” said a traffic policeman.
Dip in BMTC collection
Several BMTC buses on routes in West Bengaluru are experiencing a dip in patronage. BMTC buses plying on routes such as Kengeri, Vijayanagar, City Market, Town Hall and K.R. Puram have witnessed a fall in collection, ever since the purple line was opened.
The city transport provided is also contemplating on reorganising its routes and concentrate on feeder services to provide first and last mile connectivity to metro commuters and also runs services to hitherto unconnected areas.
“BMRCL Managing Director has conducted few rounds of meetings to plan the feeder services and what the BMTC could do to help BMRCL and themselves,” the spokesperson said.
Auto drivers less choosy
Other transport providers like cabs and auto-rickshaws, who earlier used to refuse to ply passengers to certain locations, have mellowed down.
“Autorickshaw drivers would never come if I tell them I wanted to go to Nagarbhavi from Vijayanagar, but after the metro came, the first auto that I approach is willing to ferry me,” said Shrinivas, a commuter.
BMRCL authorities have also called for tenders for designated parking lots for its commuters. “We have parking facilities near Nagasandra and Jalahalli stations and we are trying to get parking facilities for Mysuru Road, Vijayanagar and Hosahalli stations soon,” the spokesperson said.
