Mumbai: Dedicated lane near Bandra-Kurla Complex halves travel time for buses

The 3.5-km dedicated lane was a pilot initiative of the Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) to reduce traffic congestion near BKC — the city’s business hub.

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According to the study done by Mumbai Environmental Social Network (MESN), an expert group on the subject, the capacity of the lane has increased to 180 buses (private and public) carrying 9,800 passengers every hour.

“The dedicated bus lane was meant to increase the speed of buses and allow hassle-free commute. Earlier, buses would take up a lot of space on the roads already congested with rickshaws and private vehicles. Due to the dedicated lane, a considerable increase in the speed of buses and vehicles was witnessed,” Ashok Datar, transport expert said.

The study also highlights the rise in use of footpaths by pedestrians and commuters for boarding buses. The dedicated lane has also led to fewer cases of illegal parking near the kerbs, thus widening the road for commuting.

“In the past, public buses would take as long as 45 minutes to cover the entire stretch during rush hour.The narrow lane has also increased the use of footpaths among pedestrians, who no longer feel the need to run and catch buses. Also, with this, the other three lanes get exclusively reserved for other vehicles, which comparatively increases their speed,” Datar said.

Also, the passenger car unit (PCU) — a method used to classify vehicles within a traffic flow — of the buses also witnessed a rise in comparison to other vehicles. From a capacity of 5,500 PCU divided between the three lanes, the study hinted at an 8,000 PCU for buses after the introduction of the lane.

The concept is is set to be replicated on six other roads, including the Western Express Highway between Jogeshwari and Borivli, Sion to Suman Nagar, Oshiwara-Malwani, Ghatkopar-Mankhurd Link Road, the road connecting Haji Ali and Worli and the Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road.

Enforcement problem

Implemented on an experimental basis for three months since April, the dedicated bus lane is marked by the absence of wardens or traffic cops to regulate observation of rules.

This comes after the MMRDA appointed wardens for three months till June to restrict the movement of any other vehicle apart from buses on the lane.

Due to this, fallen barricades and lane cutting by other vehicles in some portions of the bus lane has been reported. Apart from this, road repairs or temporary taxi-stands at some junctions also add to the woes, officials said.

“Nuisance-makers continue to flout traffic rules and trespass into the dedicated bus lanes. Taxi and rickshaw stands at some junctions block the way for buses and increase congestion issues. We have written to the organisations concerned and sought clearing of the way for smoother movement of buses, “ said a senior official from MMRDA.

Officials confirmed that a detailed plan for stricter implementation of rules for the lane is also being considered.

A rigid structure will be in place that will increase the strength of wardens and make barricades stronger for

demarcating the lane.

Transport experts want the bus lane to be extended till Bandra station from Kalangar junction. Officials confirmed that a feasibility study will be done for the proposal.