86% of Bengaluru bus passengers want expansion of bus lane system: Study

After examining bus riders' perceptions of changes in travel time, speed, waiting time, ease of boarding, crowding, staff behavior, and safety standards after the implementation of the bus lane, the survey results were analyzed.

According to a report by Greenpeace India entitled "Relying on Bus: Assessing the Effects of Bengaluru's Bus Lane on Bus Usage," which was published on Wednesday, an astounding 86% of respondents called for the city's bus lane system to be expanded. The report clarifies the benefits of the bus lane on travel times as well as potential remedies for Bengaluru's air pollution issue.

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According to the responders, the bus lane should be extended to important locations including Hebbal, Tin Factory, Silk Board, Marathahalli, Whitefield, Electronic City, BTM Layout, Majestic, and KR Puram. The analysis is based on a 979-passenger onboard survey done between May and July 2022. As construction on the subway began in mid-2022, the bus lane that had previously traveled along the Outer Ring Road for nearly 18.5 km was removed.

Almost 28% of bus riders, according to the research, said that travel times had improved as a result of the bus lane's deployment. With 54% of respondents reporting a reduction in travel time from 60–90 minutes to 30–60 minutes, this improvement was especially notable for those commuting farther distances. Also, according to 82% of survey participants, the bus lane has a generally beneficial effect.

After analyzing how bus riders' perceptions of changes in travel time, speed, waiting time, ease of boarding, crowding, staff behavior, and safety standards after the implementation of the bus lane, the survey results were analyzed.

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Conclusion

When the bus lane was implemented, 3% of respondents said they had never used a bus, and 73% of these "new" bus riders were female. 50% of customers claimed that since the bus lane was implemented, bus speeds had risen and waiting times had decreased. According to the study, the experience was essentially consistent for both men and women.