Page 38 - HUDCO BEST PRACTICE AWARDS

Urban TransporT

Year 2018-19

city BuS SErVicES At tiEr ii AnD iii citiES AnD toWnS

by Karnataka State road transport corporation

To cope up with rapid urbanization, Karnataka has a growing necessity of efficient public transportation system, especially for its smaller cities and towns which lack in it. This has been fulfilled
through the introduction of city bus services at Tier II and III cities / towns. Value addition to the city bus services in terms of Intelligent Transport System, GPS based bus announcement
and next stop announcement system, online commuter portal, Mobile App for commuters were the key features in this initiative. Last mile connectivity has been ensured through integrating
various bus services and public bike sharing. Real time information of city bus through Mobile App, integrated trip planning and city passenger information board in some locations are some
of the smart initiatives taken during the project implementation. As on 2019, the city bus service caters to in excess of 11075 daily trips operating 1.75 lakh kilometers with ridership of 5.1
lakhs per day , through 786 buses across, cities having cumulative population of 38.75 lakhs. The project has resulted in increase in ridership, shift of commuters to city bus from other mode,
reduction of passenger waiting time and reduction of carbon footprint.

Introduction
here is an ever increasing preference for use of personal vehicles for commuting due
Tto the absence of efficient public transport service in urban areas, especially in the
small towns, which in turn leads to the problems of road congestion, pollution and lack
of road safety in such towns. An urban area with a poor public transportation system,
unorganized and dysfunctional bus system leads to an increase in para-transit, private and
other intermediate modes.
Karnataka is one of the five most urbanized states in the country and it is estimated that
50% of the population of the State would be living in its urban areas by 2030. In the wake
of urbanization, many challenges come up and a significant one being the assurance of
sustainable mobility options for the urban populace. Karnataka has already had a popular
bus-based transit system evolved over the years but need for an efficient public transport
system in growing medium size cities has so far been not successfully met. In major
metropolises having population of more than 20 lakhs, Mass Rapid Transit Systems like
Metro and BRTS have been propagated and are already in the process of implementation. Situation before city bus service initiative
However, for small metropolises and particularly Tier-II cities having population between 3 Main focus
to 10 lakhs, effective system of city bus operations would be the only mainstay for Public ain focus of this project was to create an organized and effective public mass
Transport System. Mtransport system through buses in medium and small towns /cities which would bring
Considering the need, necessity and demand for public transport, Karnataka State Road affordable, accessible, efficient and absolute choice of transport mode to citizens. Increase
Transport Corporation (KSRTC) in line with the National Urban Transport Policy, took up in mass public transport share and decrease in use of personalized medium of transport
the visionary & strategic initiative of introducing organized public transport buses in would contribute in reduction of carbon emissions and ensure environment protection.
medium and small towns and cities. The public transport system would be affordable, Further, last mile connectivity for seamless travel was one of the focal points.
accessible, and efficient and would offer a choice of feasible transport mode.
Background Mobilization of resources
or this project, buses were inducted under JnNURM-II/ Amrut Scheme as per the funding
mall size cities and towns in Karnataka, which lack threshold population to grow a mass Fnorms. In total 487 buses were funded under JnNURM project. Details of funds released
Stransport system, have resulted in growth of personalised vehicles like two-wheelers & are provided as below:
other personalised modes. Unorganized and dysfunctional city transport system has made
dependency on autos including shared auto, which is often overloaded, tum-tum, and maxi- Budgetary allocation (Rs. in crore)
cab. These were the major reasons behind KSRTC to create city bus infrastructure in order Year Government of India Government of Karnataka Total
to provide mobility solutions to smaller cities and towns.
2014-15 55.54 6.93 62.47
Key dates 2015-16 8.64 1.08 9.72
ity bus services project started by Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation in Feb- 2016-17 - 27.97 27.97
C2011. In 2015 the city buses project diversified to 10 cities and thereafter project is now 2017-18 - 1.67 1.67
extended in 18 cities in a phased manner.
2018-19 - 6.72 6.72

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