*** Greetings on Deepavali and Happy New Year ***
Kindly don't mind a bit of déjà vu.
Was going through some of my old articles, and I came across this one from Bombay Times, 1995 JUN 06, Tuesday, from my then column, One Solution.
Also kindly don't mind a bit of heavy pdf files, thought it would be good to send the full article as it appeared in print then.
Though titled Towing Time, it had listed a number of my ideas for consideration on traffic and transportation at the time.
Maybe Sucheta and Smita will remember the column, which probably became one too many, and none of my low cost, high value, suggestions were used by the authorities because they were offered without any copyright charge whatsoever.
A loss to the public, that is what I believe.
It has been over sixteen years, the situation has not changed, but got worse.
Maybe that wasn't the time, at least so many years later, let the service start.
The points were
01 Towing vans are going about their mad scramble since then, even before that, no change in the manner they go about their business, the scramble to pick up the private cars at the earliest, the use of privately owned otherwise not at all road worthy pollution emitting tow chain wrecks, not for commercial use, illegally using black on white number plate vehicles, while their own MTP owned tow chains are just parked for display purposes, etc., etc.
02 Parking, no parking, taxi, auto stand and all kinds of traffic signs and locations, visibility, legibility, etc
03 Temporary registration number plates made to look like permanent plates to try and fool the public and the authorities turning a blind eye, and saving lakhs to the offenders
04 Trucks and HCV movement within city limits obstructing safe and smooth traffic
05 Domestic airport traffic entry and exit re alignment, ie, clockwise, from North of Centaur Sahara Star, and exit on South side, ie, reverse from what is current
06 Dedicated BEST bus routes to and from the airport, excerpted as follows
< Presently the system favours taxis. Even rikshaws are neglected. And if the Regional Transport Authority, RTA, would like to give priority to public vehicles, the BEST has not given due consideration. Whereas the BEST does run routes via the airport and railway terminals, it does not actually have dedicated services starting and terminating at them, least of all with buses having luggage carrying facility to convenient points at various city areas>
At least now, with the memorandum given to the BEST, and the Chief Minister, State of Maharashtra, lets hope some kind of service starts.
Only thing, the focus should be on the interchange locations, ie from the bus to the individual public transport, since the buses won't be door to door, and the passengers can't be picked up or dropped off on the roads any where.
Unlike what is happening for the out of control inter state contract buses and the taxi and auto pick ups, at various points in Mumbai, Girgaum, Sion, Dadar, Bandra, Andheri East, Borivali, Navi Mumbai, etc., which is itself a topic for more discussion.
Mean time, I would still call for complete opening of the public stage carriage transport to the private sector also.
Give the public a choice, micro, mini, ring route, feeder, limousine, large capacity bus services, regular, air conditioned, etc.
Till such radical and innovative schemes are implemented, the travelling public will just suffer the usual travails for years and years and years, and many good, low cost high value ideas will keep being offered, and unfortunately the authorities will keep on resisting them for reasons unknown.
While the Unified Mumbai Metropolitan Transport Authority, UMMTA, set up by Government of Maharashtra in 2008, for giving a vision and direction to the MMR's transportation, has been side lined, and a much diluted Mumbai Metropolitan Transportation Authority, MMTA, is being used to give new fares for autos with much thought of fifty paise price slabs.
Thanqx.
Jagdeep DESAI
Architect
Secretary
Founder Trustee
Forum for Improving Quality of Life in Mumbai Suburbs
+91 98 6922 7148
>>>
2011/9/20 Jagdeep DESAI <jagdeep.desai1@gmail.com>
Hello all,It was at least two years ago when I first saw this type of bus, as far back as 2009 DEC 29.The justification given then by BEST was that they were just surplus, and were leased, so as to earn money instead of lying idle in the depots.Then the question is if they are surplus, in fact, if you see any depot, there are many buses parked, lying idle at any given time, so why are more buses being purchased, if they have saturated the routes.Incidentally, BEST leases their regular buses to schools, for running as school buses since years, our school, Bombay International School was amongst the first in the late 1960s and 1970s.But in that case, why aren't the buses being used for other important services, like, dedicated school buses, like on main trunk routes, such buses should run only for school children, who should not rush for boarding already over crowded buses.Its another small fact that overcrowding, apart from being dangerous, is entirely illegal, since the buses have licensed carrying capacities, so many seats, so many standees.As far as BEST is concerned, there are many ways in which BEST can give a variety of services, micro, mini, limousine, luxury, etc., to give a choice to the different passengers.Again, Kolkata is using JNNURM buses deliberately and effectively
Thanqx.Jagdeep>>>2011/9/20 ashok datar <datar.ashok@gmail.com>this is wonderfulI knew that they were doing it earlier and was told now they have abandoned it. but this is remarkable and we should confront BEST about thisI will forward an email to BEST which i sent just nowthanksI think Moneylife initiative is gathering momentum and we should not let it goashok datarOn Tue, Sep 20, 2011 at 2:14 PM, Veeresh Malik <veereshmalik@gmail.com> wrote:
Good Afternoon,It appears as though over 6 dozen air-conditioned low floor buses which were provided to BEST under JNNURM (as were similar buses provided to DTC/Delhi, Bengaluru, APSRTC etc)specifically for airport linkages are :-A) being reported to JNNURM as being engaged in airport linkages.B) are actually being used by 9W/JetAirwys and Cambata Aviation inside theairport for aircraft to terminal transfers.I saw these buses airside domestic terminal yesterday 19th september 2011. They carry a BEST logo in very faint purple on purple kind of lettering almost hidden away on top of the front windscreen, as well as in very small lettering on some the photocopies stuck to the windscreen.That's where your airport to city buses are currently, in Mumbai, so why blame only the taxi drivers when the best of the best, the cream of Mumbai's society, are using these buses for their own private usage please?Regards/Veeresh Malik--
On 18 September 2011 16:43:32 UTC+5:30, Nagesh Kini <nageshkini@hotmail.com> wrote:
Sucheta - Marvelous to say the least!
1. On my return from Bengaluru where Mr. Shenai provided me with printed write up, route and rate charts of the Vajra Airport-City Transport, I had spoken to Sudhir on replicating it at Mumbai too. The Bengaluru Vajra service that I have always availed is great. In fact during my last trip I travelled with a retired Director Finance Air India who got talking to the Air India Ground Staff who are also permitted to travel to/from home in these buses.
2. In the Indian Airline days, I used to board the Airport Bus from Shivaji Park. There was no need to discontinue it.
3. Taxi's don't come to Mahim - considered 'short distance', fare Rs.100, for the taxi to stand 'in line' the traffic havaldar needs to be bribed min.Rs.100. Since I always carry in hand bag I prefer to come out to hop in to 'dropping cabs'.
4. I entirely agree that this is urgently needed in all directions at Mumbai. As it is I understand Mumbai is short by 35,000 cabs with the phasing out of Fiats.
5. The Hotels from SOBO Taj/Oberoi and/or Juhu as also the Airlines can float a SPV for pollution free electric buses running on dedicated bus routes. The number of fuel guzzling and fumes emitting air conditioned limos/SUVs can also be eliminated.
Nagesh N Kini, B.Com (Hons) FCA,
Chartered Accountant,
1 Mahim House,
Chattrapati Shivaji Marg,
Mahim, MUMBAI-400016. India
Phone: (91)-O22-24373052
Email : nageshkini@hotmail.com
nageshkini@live.com
Subject: Re: Lets start a campaign for AC buses with luggage space from domestic & International airports at 10-15 minute frequencyFrom: sucheta@moneylife.in
Date: Sun, 18 Sep 2011 14:49:41 +0530
CC: jagdeep.desai1@gmail.com; thebravepedestrian@gmail.com; kiranbedi2005@yahoo.co.in; kiranbedi.2005@yahoo.co.in; praful.vora@gmail.com; info@indiaagainstcorruption.org; bvjralegan@gmail.com; annahazare1@gmail.com; dineshpatil_1973@yahoo.co.in; veereshmalik@gmail.com; maharticouncil@gmail.com; chiefminister@maharashtra.gov.in; sanjaynirupam@gmail.com; govindsharma2005@gmail.com; alekh@moneylife.in; raghunathan.v@gmrgroup.in; pi.traffic.dnnagar@trafficpolicemumbai.org; acp.traffic.west@trafficpolicemumbai.org; jcptraffic@trafficpolicemumbai.org; janhitmanch@gmail.com; jnm.movement@gmail.com; nitinkill@gmail.com; sumairaabdulali@yahoo.com; indranimalkani@hotmail.com; waltervieira@gmail.com; nair.mohana@gmail.com; hemooupadhyay@gmail.com; vraghunathan@gmail.com; sherleyjsingh@yahoo.co.in; ashokravat@gmail.com; nageshkini@hotmail.com; datar.ashok@gmail.com; maloybhatt@gmail.com; mohit_bhatt@hotmail.com; rupadivatia@yahoo.co.in; sunilahya@gmail.com; mihirvmehta@yahoo.com; thakeranimish@gmail.com; ashok_pandit17@rediffmail.com; anagrath@gmail.com; anillaul@vsnl.com; ninad09@gmail.com; touchwood55@gmail.com; rajendraa@gmail.com; indirametal09@gmail.com; dilipmarfatia@rediffmail.com; shrinitk@hotmail.com; dineeshwahi@gmail.com; sohag.desai@gmail.com; jawsdesai@gmail.com; sudhanikhil44@gmail.com; apurvazen@gmail.com; um1265@gmail.com; acp.traffic.planning@trafficpolicemumbai.org; dcp.traffic.west@trafficpolicemumbai.org; dcp.mum.addcp.west@mahapolice.gov.in; mc@mcgm.gov.in; mayor@mcgm.gov.in; indiaagainstcorruptionmumbai@gmail.com; iac.pune@gmail.com; iacngp@gmail.com; feedpune@gmail.com; adityampaul@gmail.com; hina_shroff@yahoo.co.uk; kshanghvi@yahoo.com; arminvey@gmail.com; mohdafzal1963@gmail.com; ipp.nasaindia@gmail.com; ipsaindore.nasazone2@gmail.com; akhtarmchauhan@hotmail.com; gurudas.kamat@nic.in; hegdkrishna@gmail.com; waman.danait@gmail.com; shenoyav@gmail.com; vagshantharamshenai@gmail.com; zibran.sayyed@yahoo.com; huzijc@yahoo.co.uk; harshadbhatia@gmail.com; yourcomments@csia.gvk.com; vivek.sethi@csia.gvk.com
To: sudhirbadami@gmail.com
Sudhir... excellent statistics.The frequency will not be 3.5 minutes will include buses going in 3 directions - south mumbai, western suburbs and central suburbs. At times there will have to be separate buses going to Andheri and back and those going to Borivli -- same for Thana - mulund and later panvel. You may need separate buses to Chembur.BEST has the ability to chalk out a plan. But a private service may do it just as well.And you are right -- people going to drop / send off people or receive them also form a big chunk of passengers. So do those working around the airport. Add these up and you have a very viable service.If the government does not insist on a monopoly - many private operators would jump at it. BEST must be given a take it- or leave it option.And they MUST RAISE MONEY FOR A SPV that will allow them to introduce a CERTAIN MINIMUM FLEET SIZE TO MEET THIS REQUIREMENT. OR IT WILL BE A NON STARTER.Maybe GVK will tell us how many passengers are waiting for upto two hours. On ganpati visarjan day, I saw this young girl desperately trying to find transport with 3 big bags. She was alone. There was nothing available that day for hours.A wait of two hours for a cab after a 45 minute fight has not become a regular thing. The minimum wait for a radio cab is 25 to 30 minutes. Ironically, after paying Rs 50 extra under the new rules.This harassment has got to stop.And the governemnt wonders why the middle class is angry????Sucheta DalalManaging Editor
316-317, 3rd Floor, Hind Service Industries PremisesShivaji Park Seaface. Off. Veer Savarkar Marg Mumbai 400028T: 022- 24441059 – 60. Fax: 022-24442771
On 18-Sep-2011, at 1:49 PM, Sudhir Badami 11 सुधीर बदामी wrote:
MIAL Website says it handled about 30 million air passengers last year. Going by some simple assumptions, the frequency requirements get determined.Assumed the numbers landing at the airport and taking off is the same, 15 million air passengers need to be brought to or taken away from the airport.Assuming only 30% passengers would use this mode (AC Bus) of travel, The figure comes to 4.5 million per year.Averaging over, the daily traffic will be about 12,300 per day. This means on an average 513 passengers would be coming to the airport and 513 leaving every hour.If a bus with 30 persons capacity is to be used, the number of buses required to ply every hour works out to 17.This means a frequency of 3.5 minutes.In fact we will require higher frequencies at certain times. In fact, the whole concept of reducing carbon footprint has to come into arguments and we must provide for higher frequencies to attract almost every potential air passenger. These buses need not be restricted to air passengers so long as they are willing to pay the fare which will have to be more due to lesser number of passengers it would carry on account of luggage space taken away from seating space. These buses should not be carrying standees from safety of luggage perspective.The issue of getting dedicated lanes or BRTS is independent issue needing separate campaign. In fact, once the air passengers get this bus facility, they can demand better running of these buses through DBL or BRTS and people in Mantralaya will lend their ear to them.
Regards
Sudhir Badami
+91 98216 85072
Email ID: sudhirbadami@gmail.com, badami@iitbombay.org
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On 18 September 2011 12:53, Sucheta Dalal <sucheta@moneylife.in> wrote:
Hi everybody...WE at Moneylife are really serious about campaigning for good AC buses with luggage space to be available from teh airport and fanning out to South Mumbai, Virar, Thane, Borivili etc.People are being fleeced everyday at the airports - that is why tens of thousand taxis wait in queues for eight and 10 hours to get a passenger. One journalist from Delhi, Patralekha Chatterjee says that she was almost kidnapped and jumped out of the cab with her bag, which was luckily with her on the seat.Many thousands of people travel with one hand bag these days, especially those in sales and int the IT sector. It is criminal that they are forced to take taxis because public transport is not avaiilable.Here are my points:1. We pretend we want to eliminate congestion, but do not introduce efficient public transport in the most obvious areas like the airport commute.2. Airport buses are already working efficiently in Hyderabad and Bengaluru - it is a crying need in Mumbai. We are India's richest city but do not have a decent airport service.3. Delhi has the airport express train which is brilliant.4. Our government does not want to act, only because we are under pressure from the taxi and auto rickshaw union mafia. All politicians want unions as their votebank, the public does not matter. Hence no action.5. Even those who have cars, find the parking charges and the long wait to get to cabs (in the rains it is a nightmare) unaffordable.6. We spoke to the BEST chief PRO - he says that they are more than willing to start this service, when they are given dedicated bus lanes. This is complete nonsense.7. If BEST does not want to start the service, let it be privatised .8. THE MOST IMPORTANT POINT HERE IS THAT THE BUSES MUST HAVE A FREQUENCY OF 15 MINUTES AT LEAST. WE MUST NOT ALLOW BUSES THAT ARE AVAILABLE ONLY EVERY 30 TO 40 MINUTES TO BE STARTED AT ALL. IT WE ALLOW THAT TO HAPPEN, THE BEST WILL QUICKLY LAUNCH A SERVICE AND DECLARE IT A FAILURE.9. WE THE MIDDLE CLASS WHO NEED IT MOST WILL BE BLAMED with the false claim that we want to travel in cabs.Please do respond with your suggestions and strategies to enable us to do sustained reporting on the subject. Unless we do this, nothing will change. I am really glad that Mumbai Mirror has already started a campaign about major road blocks (nightmares) like Juhu and Suman Nagar chembur. WE are paying a lot of money at the entry point of Mumbai -- it is unacceptable that traffice issues and maintenance of roads is not handled on war footing. The monsoon is now receding, its time for action!!Sucheta DalalManaging Editor
<image001.jpg>
316-317, 3rd Floor, Hind Service Industries PremisesShivaji Park Seaface. Off. Veer Savarkar Marg Mumbai 400028T: 022- 24441059 – 60. Fax: 022-24442771CLE
Local resident & architect P K Das suggests a flyover between Gulmohar Road and the two link roads. Motorists would bypass the junction and there would also be a direct connect for southbound traffic to the Western Express Highway through Gulmohar Road
Transport expert Jagdeep Desai suggests splitting the six westbound lanes on Gulmohar Road into two groups. Three lanes could head to the beach and Guru Nanak Road, while three would go exclusively to New Link Road. Lane discipline is needed for this to work
JUHU CRAWL Signal cycle time (for red to turn green): Minimum 4 to 6 min Stoppage time (to actually cross junction): Minimum 12 to 15 min Peak hour traffic: Around 8,000 vehicles (estimated)
POLICE-SPEAK
A flyover can be built between Gulmohar Road and Versova Link Road. At the Andheri Jog flyover, the Metro will go over the flyover. Similarly, the flyover at Juhu Circle could be built under the Metro as the Metro passes over New Link Road and Guru Nanak Road. That will resolve the matter. Of course there has to be lane discipline and improvements at the junction
— Mirza Baig, assistant commissioner of police (traffic)
>>>
--
Ashok R.Datar
Mumbai Environmental Social Network20 Madhavi, Makarand Society, S.V.S.Marg, Mahim-400 016
98676 65107/0222 444 9212 see our website : www.mesn.org
I hear, then I forget. I see, then I remember. I do, then I understand.
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