FIRST AND LAST MILE CONNECTIVITY TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT WORKSHOP

B.PAC and Uber India conducted workshop on “First and Last Mile Connectivity to Public Transport” in Malleshwaram andByatarayanapuraAssembly Constituency to understand the existing gap of first and last mile connectivity to public transport. The workshop was attended by citizen groups, Resident Welfare Association (RWA), service providers and government representatives. The discussion revolved around providing a better access and egress to and from public transport under three modes –

1. Shared mobility – shared cabs and autos  
2. Car, Bicycle and Bike rentals  
3. Car and bike pooling

Malleshwaram: Malleshwaram Assembly Constituency, located in the central part of Bengaluru has an approximate population of  4 lakh in an area of 28.6 sq kms. The Constituency is well connected via public transport system – bus, metro and suburban railways which are located within a distance of 2 – 3 km from the core area.

A few of the prominent bus stops in the Constituency are:

• Malleshwaram 18th Cross Bus Station
• 8th Main Bus Stop
• Tata Institute Bus Stop
• Mattikere bus stop

However, the residents of Malleshwaram AC who attended the workshop highlighted the challenges in accessing the public transport services from the interior parts of the constituency.

The major challenges raised about first and last mile connectivity in the Constituency are as following:

1. Interior parts of the constituency do not have last mile connectivity to metro stations. Lack of shared mobility services – shared autos and feeder bus services to access metro stations.
2. Lack of cycling and walking infrastructure in the constituency
3. The constituency has higher proportion of senior citizens who travel to Malleshwaram market area on a daily basis. Due to lack of other shared mobility options, they rely heavily on private vehicles and single ride autos.
4. The metro stations fallings under the Constituency boundary do not have parking spaces for rental operators to provide service
5. The BMTC buses operating in the Constituency cover only the main roads – Sampige Road, Margosa Road, 8^th Main Road, and MKK road among others. The frequency of the buses to the interior areas are very low.

Asks from the  people in Constituency:

1. BMTC shuttle bus service to be introduced with half an hour frequency from all the metro stations.
2. BMTC should connect the inner parts of the Constituency with mini buses which acts as a medium to connect first and last mile
3. Shared auto services of 6 seaters should be introduced for better first and last mile connectivity in the constituency. Shared autos from metro station would act as a
4. Cycle rentals should be introduced in Malleshwaram Assembly Constituency with a good cycling infrastructure
5. Private aggregators providing shuttle services with a specific route should be piloted in the constituency which promotes usage of shared mobility.

The workshop was followed by an interactive session with representatives from BMTC, BBMP and elected representatives. The panelists for the discussion included S. Chandrashekar, Divisional Controller, North Zone;SadanandHiremath, Divisional Traffic Officer; Smt. Sumangala Keshav, Councilor, Ward No – 35 Aramane Nagar.

Mr. Chandrashekar said that – “BMTC will consider introducing feeder buses in Malleshwaram upon holding consultation with citizen groups.” He further said that closing the first and last mile connectivity gap will enhance the ridership on BMTC buses.

Smt. Sumangala Keshav, making a representation from her ward suggested to BMTC officials that route rationalization is a key to cater to all the parts of the Constituency

Byatarayanapura:

Byatarayanapura Assembly Constituency, located in the northern part of Bengaluru is one of the largest suburbs in the city. It has an approximate population of 7 lakh in an area of 68sq kms. Despite of being one of the largest constituencies, there is no adequate connectivity to any of the public transport systems – bus, metro and suburban railways. The suburb is located at a distance of 20-30 kms from Bengaluru International Airport, and is becoming a center for investments in residential complexes and business parks.

A few of the prominent bus stops in the Constituency are:

• Ganesha Temple, Sahakarnagar
• Vidyaranyapura
• Kodigehalli Gate
• Hebbal bus stop
• Amruthalli

The nearest metro station to Byatarayanapura is located 11 km away, making first and last mile connectivity a major concern in the constituency. The citizens who participated in the workshop raised certain concerns about accessing the public transport services and the need for better first and last mile connectivity options:

The major challenges raised about first and last mile connectivity in the Constituency are as following:

1. The locality being situated close to the airport lacks public transport facilities to the airport. Residents from Vidyaranyapura, Doddabommasandra, Kodigehalli and Sahakarnagar need to go to Hebbal to access BMTC bus service to airport
2. Byatarayanapura AC has a potential to expand the existing suburban railway services. However, at present there are only two trains which stops at Kodigehalli railway station.
3. The three seater shared auto services which are used by many operate only on specific routes and do not go upto Bellary Road
4. The feeder bus services introduced by BMTC to Gorguntepalya metro station are very infrequent, therefore people travelling by metro rely heavily on private vehicles to reach the metro station.
5. Parts of the Constituency have no rental services available – bike or cycle

Asks from the  people in Constituency:

1. Bengaluru needs to legalize shared auto services since it is used as a mode of transport to travel first and last mile. Extending the existing shared auto services till Hebbal would help better accessibility to public transport services. Six seater EV autos need to be piloted in Byatarayanapura.
2. The upcoming metro line to airport would cross part of Byatarayanapura AC. Therefore, BMRCL should hold a consultation meeting with citizen groups and RWA’s in the Constituency to design options for better first and last mile connectivity.
3. The existing suburban railway line in Byatarayanapura needs to be extended to connect parts of Whitefield, Electronic city and other peripheral parts of Bengaluru. Further, integration of timings of suburban services and feeder bus services would help to
4. Frequent shuttle services need to be introduced to connect parts of Sahakar Nagar, Kodigehalli and Vidyaranyapura
5. The service of airport buses which are run by BMTC need to be extended to areas which are located off Bellary road – e.gSahakara Nagar and Vidyaranyapura
6. There is a high demand for cycle rental services in the Constituency.

The workshop was later followed by an interactive session with government officials. The panelists for the discussion included Ramesh Babu, Depot Manager, North Zone; Matha, Assistant Traffic Superintendent, North Zone; Paramesh, Traffic Assistant, North Zone; Srinivas, Traffic Sub Inspector; Manju M N, Customer Relation officer, Connectivity Department, BMRCL

Mr. Ramesh Babu, Depot Manager, North Zone said that – “BMTC will consider introducing feeder buses from Hebbal to Kodigehalli upon doing an analysis on the number of passengers and holding consultation meeting with citizen groups.” He further said, BMTC is working alongside with traffic department to ensure drivers abide by the traffic rules.

Manju M N, Customer Relation officer, Connectivity Department, BMRCL addressing the citizens said that – “BMRCL is consulting with BMTC and BBMP to have bus stops adjacent to metro station and also to have widened footpath for better walkability”.

The workshop and the panel discussion organized by B.PAC provided a platform for service providers, citizens, civil society organizations and the Government representatives to discuss and deliberate on the challenges in the first and last mile connectivity to public transport in Malleshwaram and Byatrayanapura, and the way forward.

Glimpses of the workshop at Bytarayanapura

Glimpses of the workshop at Malleshwaram

Media coverage of the workshop