Airports -- promoting public transport

In the three years that my wife and I have lived in Bangalore, the city has become a home away from home. Of all the cities that I have visited in India, I am glad to be based here in Bangalore. One aspect of the city that strikes a first-time visitor however, is the overwhelming number of cars and two-wheelers on the road, most of them carrying just one person. Even the ubiquitous auto rickshaws often have a lone passenger in them.

Time and again, I hear about how the number of vehicles traversing on the roads of Bangalore has significantly grown and it is apparent with explosion of motorists and traffic noise levels on the streets. For a city that largely remains favourable to commute using private vehicles rather than public transport, several attempts at car pooling are yet to catch on. Yet, there is one public transport system that seems to not only have made a breakthrough in this area, but in a short time span is also reaping profits; the Volvo buses to and from the airport and other parts of the city.

Transportation infrastructure is crucial to the economic vitality and quality of life of a city's primary customers ufffd its residents. And here is where my great appreciation for Bangalore's BMTC (Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation) forward strides in public transportation comes in. Their ever -increasing fleet of new Volvo buses introduced for travel to the airport and transport within the city are a welcome change. Initial reactions to these high-tech air-conditioned buses by visitors to Bangalore city was reminiscent of what they see in their home country, replicating international standards.

Over 50 Volvo buses that have been dedicated to airport transport can be commended for transporting passengers who would otherwise use their personal vehicles, in most instances, a car.

This convenient and modern transport system has encouraged them to leave their cars at home and take a safer, more economical and convenient mode of transport instead. As a result, roads are being decongested, fuel is conserved and air pollution reduced to a great deal, helping the city in many more ways than one.

Approximately 45,000 car movements each month are reduced thanks to these airport buses.

In some ways it can be said that the commencement of an international airport on the outskirts of the city has inadvertently facilitated the promotion of public transport as an accepted mode of commute. The facility is truly symbolic of luxury, comfort and economy rolled into one and is immensely popular among passengers arriving in and out of the airport.

Today, a passenger opting for the public transport services from the airport is 'wow'ed by the provision of luggage space, mobile chargers, reading material, radio for listening pleasure and other amenities positively changing the time-honoured experience of using public transport. With more passengers taking the effort to opt for this marvelous mode of transport, the green, clean and noise-free Bangalore of yesteryears could resurface. The future looks promising.