It is now an established fact that public transport can be leveraged to yield multiple benefits for society with ecological and economic implications. The environmental benefits of public transportation include a reduction in greenhouse emissions owing to lesser traffic congestion. Sustainable transportation systems are the drivers of trade, tourism, and economic development and growth. A good public transportation system allows people seamless access to jobs, education, and other services and also improves the quality of life in general. However, the world is confronting and fighting a new challenge in the form of the global disaster that has gripped it in a vice-like grip. New challenges foster new thought and innovative solutions. In the words of the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres, “We need to turn the recovery into a real opportunity to do things right for the future”. This is true for public transportation as much for other aspects of life in the new normal, and it is the time to find innovative solutions towards safe and efficient public transport.
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Safe And Efficient Public Transport – Way Forward
The safety of commuters and crew will assume a new dimension when the world is back to normal. Safety measures introduced by public transport agencies in the wake of the abnormal situation would need to be maintained and enhanced. Infrastructure would need to be improved to ensure safe and efficient public transport. The cities across the world and in India are grappling with these issues and drawing up the blueprint for a safe and efficient public transport system.
Safe And Efficient Public Transport – Bengaluru Public Transport
Here is what Anuradha Bhaumick says about Namma Bengaluru!
Bengaluru, our home city, has grown at a rapid pace, and infrastructure growth has not been able to keep up with the scorching pace. One of the major challenges of the city and its residents is getting to their place of work or study in the maze of traffic during normal times. There is a need for more people to use public transport. But concurrently there is a need for a more safe and efficient public transport system to be in place.
One of the initiatives being undertaken by BBMP (Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike) in conjunction with BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation), and the Bengaluru City Traffic Police, is the introduction of dedicated priority bus lanes in Bangalore.
In November 2019, a dedicated bus lane for the BMTC buses was created on an 18 kilometre stretch on the outer ring road connecting the notoriously crowded Silk Board Junction with Tin Factory, on a trial basis. The results were really encouraging and bus lanes seemed to be the way to get #BengaluruMoving.
- Average bus speeds increased by about 22%
- Peak hour traffic time reduced by as much as 60%
- Bus trips increased by a whopping 150% which translated into more bus availability for commuters
The encouraging results have prompted the agencies to plan for more bus lanes, which will go a long way towards getting more and more people on to public transport.
Check out this fun video by Nikhil Kini on the state of Bengaluru traffic and how bus lanes can really make a difference.
Safety Measures In Public Transport
With practices like wearing a mask and social distancing becoming the new norm, and the lurking fear of infection may draw people away from public transport in the coming years. To ensure that this does not happen adequate safety measures and practices need to be in place to ensure safe and efficient public transport. Some of the measures which need to be in place are listed below.
Ticketing Systems
The efficient ticketing system that is contactless is what needs to be adopted. In Bengaluru, BMTC has already started this with the introduction of daily, weekly, and monthly passes thereby reducing contact while the purchase of and payment for a ticket during every ride by the commuter. Smart cards for bus travel could be introduced. Or ticketing through digital payment using QR code in the bus could be introduced. In case of a commuter not having access to a digital payment system, one of the ideas could be to have a physical cash box in the bus where the cash could be deposited, for contactless payment. Digital payments, ticket vending machines for contactless ticketing too need to be incorporated.
Social Distancing & Efficient Queueing System
There should be a restriction on the number of people on each bus and crowding should be avoided. Strict adherence to a queue system with adequate social distancing needs to be in place.
Mandatory Use of Face Masks and Hand Sanitizers
The use of face masks and hand sanitizers should be mandatory for commuters and the bus crew. Sanitizers to be available on the bus. Buses need to be well cleaned and sanitized at regular intervals.
Safety Standards and SOP’s for Crew
The on-board, as well as ground crew, needs to be fully trained and equipped to ensure that all necessary hygiene factors are taken care of. Well defined standards of safety and clear Standard Operating Procedure needs to be implemented.
These are some steps that would help in providing a safe and efficient public transport system. It is also imperative that systems and processes evolve with time and hence they need to be dynamic and flexible to adapt to new challenges and circumstances that may come up in the future. Hence public transport systems too need to be future safe and future-ready.
What are your thoughts on the future of public transportation system? What are your suggestions for a safe and efficient public transport system? Do share your thoughts in the comments section.
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Thanks for sharing how to be safe when using public transport. Hand sanitisers and face masks are definitely a must. In the UK, you will be fined £100 if you are found not wearing them.
I live out in the burbs and there is no public transportation available in my town. When ever I visit the city, we always take public transportation.
Very effective post. I think I have contacted you for the guest post. You have not replied me.
I don’t ever use public transports, but it’s good that they’re taking safety measures. Thanks for the info!
There’s no public transportation in my little town. But, I am all contactless whenever possible!
I wish we had more public transportation where we live. When we lived in San Francisco we used it all the time and it’s so convenient.
I really enjoyed reading this post. These tips are really helpful.
I usually don’t travel by public transport I travel with my car. But it is very good to know that it is safe for the people that are making use of it.
I do love to travel, but I don’t get to do it often. We don’t usually use any public transportation though, as we usually use our own vehicles. It’s great to see they are trying to make it safe though.
The city has a bus transit system but we have never tried using it because we have our own cars. I’m glad to know that they’re taking the necessary precautions though.
Public transportation was the best way to get around when I was a kid. We used to take the bus to the mall and the train to the city, it was a good time. I will always think of those days when I use public transport.
These are all great tips. I live out in the country so I’ve never taken public transportation. It must be scary after everything that has gone all.
This is such a concern in South Africa too! One of our main forms of public transport is minibus taxis – but this has become so problematic with taxis still having 100% capacity. I’m not sure about our buses and trains- I’m sure they are running at less capacity. I love the idea of contactless tickets – it must make such a difference. Dedicated bus lanes are fantastic!
It’s good to read all this info about public transport. Very often I need to take it and it’s great to feel safe!
BB has always been a user and advocate of public transportation, however with the threat of contamination, stricter guidelines and adherence to them will be a must. Will be watching this closely to see if it’s worth the risks…
That sounds like great ane efficient public transport system. In India most of the public transport system is reall good especillay rail ways.
Love your post, Sandy. I firmly believe public transport MUST be the primary form of transportation except in emergencies. We have pledged not to buy a car simply because we don’t want to add to the one car, one passenger load on the long distance to work. Public transport does so much to save fuel costs and pollution and actually covers more areas. I really think it is a great way to be eco-friendly.
Public transport is the lifeline of any city as it provides a reliable , pocket – friendly and safe way for travelers .. Got to see Bengaluru has developed an extensive network of the same .
Introducing dedicated priority bus lanes in Bangalore is a welcome step. Dedicated Cycling and walking spaces will further reduce the carbon footprints. The most essential change is needed in urban planning. If workplaces are near to home, people will prefer to walk/cycle to their workplace.
Thanks for raising such a critical issue.
I always try to avail public transport on my way to work. It’s not only eco-friendly but pocket friendly too. Thanks for writing such a good topic.
A wise man once said- soak into the culture of a place by not behaving like a tourist. I enjoyed this piece. To use public transport in a foreign land means having to learn so much about the city. And not just when we travel to another country, but even otherwise. Super environemtn-friendly and economical.
I hope things get better with time.
We live in a City ‘ Lucknow’ Uttar Pradesh. Earlier there were no public transport so we use to travel by our own conveyance but recently govt has started Metro, which proved to be life saviour for us, it saved our petrol and more over atleast we are giving a helping hand to govt in protecting our environment.
These are some great tips. Luckily, I work from home so I do not need to use the public transport for now.
Most people rely havelily on public transport for commuting. Indeed it is good to see that the bus services are improving in Bengaluru. Safety and efficiency both should surely go hand in hand in this progress.
I have always trusted on public transport to commute anywhere in the city. No doubt its a budget friendly and eco friendly option.
Most places that have effiecent public transport is a true measure of economic progress