Rants on Bangalore's traffic situation

Rajeevraj · 30th November 2019, 12:17

Times of India has a news today that 399 people were fined for using the bus lane and 1.16L in fines collected. While this is good, I don't think the enforcement is strong enough. Only way for this to have any shot at success is high levels of policing and penalties for at least a few months. Post that even if the enforcement levels drop, I think it can sustain.

Like the helmet rule for both rider and pillion. Majority of people in Bangalore wear helmets and atleast a good part do it because they know at anytime some traffic cop can pop up somewhere and fine.

vnabhi · 30th November 2019, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by anandhsub

Most buses go under the doddanekundi and mahadevpura flyovers too ( towards kr puram). Only the volvos sometime skip it.

The buses are on the left lane post the stop opposite rainbow hospital and then they crossover to the right lane as they go under the doddanekundi flyover. Then they crossover to the left to stop opposite EMC post which they crossover to the right lane to go under the mahadevpura flyover and then again to the left to stop at narayanapura bus stop.

All of this within a 2.5km stretch.

Can't think of any other bus system that is so horribly designed.

LOL! I can imagine the chaos this causes! Time for the concerned authorities to give this a serious thought and design something rational.

I pity the motorists who use cars and two-wheelers who ply on that stretch!

jaganm · 30th November 2019, 17:00

Thankfully, I don't have to use the ORR on weekdays as I work from home. However, the last couple of weekends, I have used this stretch 4-5 times on all modes of private transport (cycle, scooter, motorcycle and car).

- Cycling is a nightmare and I've given up cycling on ORR. It would be foolish to cycle outside the bus lane and so I stuck to the extreme left. The challenge is that the bus comes behind at fairly high speed, so you always need to watch out. It was so stressful that I switched to the service lane at ecospace
- I took my son in the scooter from hsr to the Kia showroom (Saturday at 11:30 am). When he is with me, I drive quite slowly at around 40-50 kmph max. I really felt unsafe. Vehicles were overtaking me from left and right. Ideally, I would've been on the extreme left minding my own business. If I was alone, I would've gone along at a faster clip and maybe it wouldn't be as scary
- On the motorcycle, it was quite fine. On weekends, I usually stop at the Suncity signal on the green just so that I am first when it turns green again and have a clear road ahead till Bellandur and can enjoy the acceleration. I usually go the extreme left and stop, but I wanted to respect the lane even though it is not marked there. Instead I stopped on the extreme right lane which was already blocked by the crowd that was waiting to go from Sarjapur Road into Suncity! They were looking at me with amusement.
- The bus lane is meant for cars IMHO. They are the most affected if they follow the rules, but when you're inside, you feel a lot secure and in control. I had no problems there at all.

sachinpk · 3rd December 2019, 10:03

Comrades!! Please avoid Madiwala check post, Dairy Circle etc. Massive traffic jam. White topping is given as the reason.

itwasntme · 3rd December 2019, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachinpk

Comrades!! Please avoid Madiwala check post, Dairy Circle etc. Massive traffic jam. White topping is given as the reason.

Hosur Road also at a standstill!

suresh_gs · 3rd December 2019, 10:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachinpk

Comrades!! Please avoid Madiwala check post, Dairy Circle etc. Massive traffic jam. White topping is given as the reason.

https://www.deccanherald.com/city/be...ng-780136.html

ranjith_aditya · 3rd December 2019, 11:20

I agree with all of OP’s statements. For over a year I suffered on the roads, relying on public transport, it would take me over an hour to cover 7 kms. Earlier this year Ampere launched their latest e-scooter, Zeal their first bike that came with a lithium ion battery. I bought the scooter in early June and although I do get stuck in traffic most days, my journey home now takes me only half an hour or 45 minutes on the worst days. The e-scooter is almost 30 kgs lighter than the average petrol/diesel scooters, which makes it really easy to weave through congested or narrow roads. I’m able to take the bike to up to 55 kmph which is rather commendable for a lightweight vehicle scooter.
There is no escaping Bangalore traffic but we all find ways to survive it.

KiloAlpha · 3rd December 2019, 13:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by sachinpk

Comrades!! Please avoid Madiwala check post, Dairy Circle etc. Massive traffic jam. White topping is given as the reason.

Blissfully unaware of this, I left for work today at 9am - my usual route to office is via Dairy Circle. I took one look at the jam, called the office and told them I was going to work from home, made a quick U-turn and came back home.

I was on Bannerghatta Road.

It took me all of 30 minutes to just get to the junction from where I could make a U-turn.

balenoed_ · 3rd December 2019, 15:35

Now that the FASTag discussions are around, I am wondering if NICE road also will get some kind of FASTag or digital payment mode? Or by the way, does this National Highway FASTag that we are buying can be used for NICE road also? No right?

shreyascashyap · 3rd December 2019, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by balenoed_

Now that the FASTag discussions are around, I am wondering if NICE road also will get some kind of FASTag or digital payment mode? Or by the way, does this National Highway FASTag that we are buying can be used for NICE road also? No right?

There was an article in ToI a couple of days ago that said NICE road will accept FasTag along with their own RFID and credit/debit cards, apart from the usual cash. The article said it would be functional from Dec 1 but on my daily drive down the road, there was no sign of any FASTag scanner. I chatted with the toll booth operator, he told me that FASTag would be accepted from December 15 as per the new timeline.

unk9ja · 3rd December 2019, 18:45

Rants on Bangalore's traffic situation-img20191203wa0029.jpg

Today, it was utter chaos around this area. Traffic overflowed into BTM layout which is already reeling in the Metro construction crutches.

vsrivatsa · 3rd December 2019, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by unk9ja

Today, it was utter chaos around this area. Traffic overflowed into BTM layout which is already reeling in the Metro construction crutches.

Wow - so this is the reason for he chaos. It took me 2 hours + to reach home from Electronics City to Jayanagar via the Madiwala route. I guess I will stick to NICE Road from tomorrow.

Rajeevraj · 3rd December 2019, 21:51

Since I have easy access to a railway station off Sarjapur Road, I try to use the skeletal train network whenever there is a possibility to do so. Couple of days back, had a day long engagement at a place which I found was very close to Banaswadi Railway station. Since the morning timing for me to be there matched with a train timing, it was a no brainer to take it. Had casually checked Uber and it was showing Rs 450+ and a 1.5 hour journey. The train was Rs 10 and took me 15 min of journey time.

On the return, there was no train from Banaswadi, but realized that Bangalore East station was less than a kilometer away and I had a train-but it was after one hour. Uber was again showing close to 500 and a 1 hr 30 min journey at 5.45pm. Decided to try the train again. Another Rs 10 and the journey took 20 min. Of course I had to wait for 45 min, but I still reached around the time the cab would have reached.

And while I was at East, several local trains towards Whitefield and towards KSR passed by and all of them had good crowds. The Hosur-Dharmapuri DEMU I took, being the only train at that time towards Hosur, was standing room only.

It is such a low hanging fruit to add a couple of halt stations and increase capacity by doubling and electrification. Even with all the suburban rail focus, the focus seems to be on long term lofty goals.

ampere · 3rd December 2019, 22:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rajeevraj

It is such a low hanging fruit to add a couple of halt stations and increase capacity by doubling and electrification. Even with all the suburban rail focus, the focus seems to be on long term lofty goals.

Very nice to see you using the rail network. Would be glad to see more and more on this.

itwasntme · 4th December 2019, 05:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Hosur Road also at a standstill!

Really feel for daily commuters in this entire area. 2 months!

https://www.deccanherald.com/city/be...ts-782366.html

30th November 2019, 12:17	#18046
Rajeevraj Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,607 Thanked: 17,685 Times	Re: Rants on Bangalore's traffic situation Times of India has a news today that 399 people were fined for using the bus lane and 1.16L in fines collected. While this is good, I don't think the enforcement is strong enough. Only way for this to have any shot at success is high levels of policing and penalties for at least a few months. Post that even if the enforcement levels drop, I think it can sustain. Like the helmet rule for both rider and pillion. Majority of people in Bangalore wear helmets and atleast a good part do it because they know at anytime some traffic cop can pop up somewhere and fine.
	() Thanks

30th November 2019, 17:00	#18048
jaganm BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 372 Thanked: 426 Times	Re: Rants on Bangalore's traffic situation Thankfully, I don't have to use the ORR on weekdays as I work from home. However, the last couple of weekends, I have used this stretch 4-5 times on all modes of private transport (cycle, scooter, motorcycle and car). - Cycling is a nightmare and I've given up cycling on ORR. It would be foolish to cycle outside the bus lane and so I stuck to the extreme left. The challenge is that the bus comes behind at fairly high speed, so you always need to watch out. It was so stressful that I switched to the service lane at ecospace - I took my son in the scooter from hsr to the Kia showroom (Saturday at 11:30 am). When he is with me, I drive quite slowly at around 40-50 kmph max. I really felt unsafe. Vehicles were overtaking me from left and right. Ideally, I would've been on the extreme left minding my own business. If I was alone, I would've gone along at a faster clip and maybe it wouldn't be as scary - On the motorcycle, it was quite fine. On weekends, I usually stop at the Suncity signal on the green just so that I am first when it turns green again and have a clear road ahead till Bellandur and can enjoy the acceleration. I usually go the extreme left and stop, but I wanted to respect the lane even though it is not marked there. Instead I stopped on the extreme right lane which was already blocked by the crowd that was waiting to go from Sarjapur Road into Suncity! They were looking at me with amusement. - The bus lane is meant for cars IMHO. They are the most affected if they follow the rules, but when you're inside, you feel a lot secure and in control. I had no problems there at all.
	(1) Thanks

3rd December 2019, 10:03	#18049
sachinpk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,526 Thanked: 1,366 Times	Re: Rants on Bangalore's traffic situation Comrades!! Please avoid Madiwala check post, Dairy Circle etc. Massive traffic jam. White topping is given as the reason.
	(1) Thanks

3rd December 2019, 11:20	#18052
ranjith_aditya Newbie Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1 Thanked: 0 Times	Re: Rants on Bangalore's traffic situation I agree with all of OP’s statements. For over a year I suffered on the roads, relying on public transport, it would take me over an hour to cover 7 kms. Earlier this year Ampere launched their latest e-scooter, Zeal their first bike that came with a lithium ion battery. I bought the scooter in early June and although I do get stuck in traffic most days, my journey home now takes me only half an hour or 45 minutes on the worst days. The e-scooter is almost 30 kgs lighter than the average petrol/diesel scooters, which makes it really easy to weave through congested or narrow roads. I’m able to take the bike to up to 55 kmph which is rather commendable for a lightweight vehicle scooter. There is no escaping Bangalore traffic but we all find ways to survive it.
	() Thanks

3rd December 2019, 15:35	#18054
balenoed_ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: KL14 <> KA01 Posts: 1,787 Thanked: 5,357 Times View My Garage	Re: Rants on Bangalore's traffic situation Now that the FASTag discussions are around, I am wondering if NICE road also will get some kind of FASTag or digital payment mode? Or by the way, does this National Highway FASTag that we are buying can be used for NICE road also? No right?
	() Thanks

3rd December 2019, 18:45	#18056
unk9ja Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Bengaluru Posts: 1,113 Thanked: 2,977 Times	Re: Rants on Bangalore's traffic situation Today, it was utter chaos around this area. Traffic overflowed into BTM layout which is already reeling in the Metro construction crutches.
	(2) Thanks

3rd December 2019, 21:51	#18058
Rajeevraj Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Bangalore Posts: 4,607 Thanked: 17,685 Times	Re: Rants on Bangalore's traffic situation Since I have easy access to a railway station off Sarjapur Road, I try to use the skeletal train network whenever there is a possibility to do so. Couple of days back, had a day long engagement at a place which I found was very close to Banaswadi Railway station. Since the morning timing for me to be there matched with a train timing, it was a no brainer to take it. Had casually checked Uber and it was showing Rs 450+ and a 1.5 hour journey. The train was Rs 10 and took me 15 min of journey time. On the return, there was no train from Banaswadi, but realized that Bangalore East station was less than a kilometer away and I had a train-but it was after one hour. Uber was again showing close to 500 and a 1 hr 30 min journey at 5.45pm. Decided to try the train again. Another Rs 10 and the journey took 20 min. Of course I had to wait for 45 min, but I still reached around the time the cab would have reached. And while I was at East, several local trains towards Whitefield and towards KSR passed by and all of them had good crowds. The Hosur-Dharmapuri DEMU I took, being the only train at that time towards Hosur, was standing room only. It is such a low hanging fruit to add a couple of halt stations and increase capacity by doubling and electrification. Even with all the suburban rail focus, the focus seems to be on long term lofty goals.
	(7) Thanks