Experts call for better public transport, commuter rail

BENGALURU: Urban experts in the city feel that the state’s latest proposal will not make any difference to the city’s traffic until core issues are targeted, like improvement of public transport system and introducing commuter rail.

Sanjeev V Dyamannavar, transport expert and member of citizens’ organisation Praja RAAG, said, “The new proposal will definitely not have any major impact. Only a few companies can accommodate such a proposal as other firms work according to their off-shore business demands.”

He said that as school and college students and other professionals travel during peak hours, staggered work hours for one particular industry will not solve the traffic issue. 

He added, “Why can’t the traffic department ban private vehicles during peak hours? Making the commuter rail functional should be a top priority, at least three services during peak hours from Cantonment via Byappanahalli to ITPL will help. Gradually, commuters will shift to trains.”

Urban expert Ashwin Mahesh said, “The issue is that there has not been a complete plan. We are putting together things in pieces without an idea of the final picture. There is no policy for city-wide infrastructure. We have to think of infrastructure and sustainable transport as twins. The need of the hour is sharper focus on buses, walking and cycling. There are no two ways about the fact that we need 6,000 more buses on the road and create areas for cycling.”