BPS: Buses to be fast mode of transport

BANGALORE: Linked closely to Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), Bus Priority System (BPS), a method to provide right way of buses in order to cut down the travel time.BPS is generally seen as a precursor to BRTS and has been undergoing pilot studies in the city for a few months now. The system aims at speeding up bus travel by providing priority passage to buses over other means of private transport.The aim is to encourage more people to use buses instead of opting for their own vehicles since travel time in public transport is high. Some of the ideas being tried out by the BMTC include a ‘bus only lane’ near signals in order to streamline traffic and  ‘special lanes’ for buses near traffic bottlenecks to decrease travel time.BMTC MD K R Sreenivas and M P Prabhudas, chief traffic manager (Operations), visited London and Istanbul a few months ago to study the BRTS systems.They found that it would not be feasible for Bangalore since providing a dedicated lane to buses was a massive investment.In such a scenario, BPS provides a viable alternative that can be implemented at a relatively low cost. This system has received a lot of support from various organisations around the city.CiSTUP, attached to IISc and Bangalore Metropolitan Land Transport Authority (BMLTA) are working on the BPS project with other officials. “We are considering a priority lane system between KBS and ITPL. This will be non continuous and will be put into place wherever feasible,” said Sreenivas.“We will incorporate priority lanes for all mass transport vehicles and not just for public transportation. We will be meeting the traffic authorities next week and will start services soon if the meeting goes well,” he further added.Transport Secretary M K Shankarlinge Gowda, said that the project was being considered actively, “It is being discussed, we will announce it soon,” he said.Bus Priority System will ensure comfort for people who prefer public transport. “Travel time in buses is the only reason I take my vehicle to office everyday, if Bus Priority System can ensure a smooth ride, I would opt for buses instantly and start to travel by bus everyday,” said T Anbalagan, a resident of Domlur, who travels by private vehicle to ITPL.