Ahmedabad Bus Rapid Transit System

Janmarg
Bus, station and dedicated corridor near Shivranjani Cross Roads
Overview
Owner AMC, AUDA, Government of Gujarat
Locale Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
Transit type Bus rapid transit
Number of lines 14 (11 bi-directional, 2 circular, 1 shuttle) (June 2018)
Number of stations 150 (Stations + cabins) [1][2][3]
Daily ridership 3,25,000 -3,50,000 (March 2018)[4][5][6]
Chief executive Gautam Shah (Director), Mayor of Ahmedabad

Mukesh Kumar (Chairman), Municipal Commissioner of AMC
Headquarters Ground Floor, Dr. Ramanbhai Patel Bhavan, West Zone Office, Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Usmanpura, Ahmedabad
Website Ahmedabad BRTS
Operation
Began operation 14 October 2009
Operator(s) Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL)
Number of vehicles 250 diesel buses[7][8] (186 AC buses)[9]
Technical
System length 125 kilometres (78 mi) (with 89 kilometres (55 mi) dedicated corridor)[6]

Janmarg, also known as Ahmedabad BRTS, is a bus rapid transit system in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. It is operated by Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited, a subsidiary of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and others. It is designed by CEPT University.[10][11] It was inaugurated in October 2009. The network expanded to 89 kilometres (55 mi) by December 2017 with daily ridership of 3,49,000 passengers.[12] BRTS won several nation and international awards for design, implementation and operation. It was rated Silver on BRT Standard in 2013.

History

Ahmedabad has a population of more than 6.3 million and an extended population of 7.2 million. It is the sixth largest city and seventh largest metropolitan area of India. Keeping in the view of increasing population and need of expansion of public transport, the bus rapid transport system was envisioned.

In 2005, the feasibility study reports were prepared by the state project development agency, Gujarat Infrastructure Development Board, and later by CEPT University. The study was headed by H. M. Shivanand Swamy; an economist, urban planner and associate director of CEPT. The project was sanctioned by the Ministry of Urban Development under JNNURM program in 2005.[11][13]

Technical procedures was started in 2006.[13] CEPT designed the system after detailed analysis.[11][14] Based on an analysis of the socio-economic factors, travel demand patterns, road network characteristics, metro plan and existing Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) route network, a network of roads covering about 155 kilometers in length was identified for developing the BRTS.[11]

Janmarg literally means the people's way in Hindi.[15] The trial run started in July 2009. The first corridor connecting Pirana to RTO Junction was opened to public on 14 October 2009 by then the Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi.[11][16][17] Second half of the first phase of the BRTS was inaugurated on 25 December 2009. It was stretched up to Kankaria Lake later to cater eastern part of the city.[18][19] It is extended from Shivranjani to Iskcon Temple on 15 September 2012.[20] On 28 September 2012, it expanded from Soni ni Chali to Odhav.[21] The network expanded to 89 km by December 2015 at the total cost of ₹ 1200 crore.[22][23] The third phase of the project includes Shivranjani-APMC, Jashodanagar-Hathijan, Sola-Science City, Narol-Aslali and Akhbarnagar-Gota Crossroads stretches. It was approved in 2013 and is underconstruction.[24] Dedicated buses for women were introduced in January 2016.[25]

In future, BRTS will be integrated with underconstruction Ahmedabad Metro.[11] The underconstruction Gujarat International Finance Tec-City will be accessible through this multimodal mix of rapid transport systems.[11]

Several cities are constructing and planning BRTS based on the model of Ahmedabad such as Chennai, Bangalore, Mumbai, Amritsar and Bhubaneswar.[11][26]

Routes

Transit Map (June 2018). Note: Colors are for indicative purpose only. BRTS does not use any color coding for routes.

As of June 2018, following are the currently operational routes; eleven in both directions and two in circular direction; serving 149 BRTS stations and cabins at extended routes. Route 1000, a shuttle bus service from Airport to Karnavati Club, also stops at several BRTS stands.[27]

Transit routes (June 2018)
Route No. Route details
1 Ghuma ↔ Maninagar
2 Sola Bhagwat↔ Odhav Ring Road (via Delhi Darwaja)
3 RTO ↔ Maninagar (via Anjali)
4 Zundal ↔ Commerce Six Roads
5 Vasna ↔ Naroda (via Narol)
6 Narol ↔ Naroda Gaam
7 Vishwakarma College (IIT) ↔ Narol (via Kalupur)
8 ISKCON Cross Roads ↔ Naroda (via Kalupur)
9 Sola Bhagwat ↔ Maninagar (via Geeta Mandir)
11 Townhall / MJ Library ↔ Odhav Ring Road
12 RTO ↔ Hatkeshwar
101 RTO → RTO (clockwise, via Kalupur → Anjali)
201 RTO → RTO (anticlockwise, via Anjali → Kalupur)
1000 Airport ↔ Karnavati Club / S G Highway (extended service)


Operation

Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited (AJL), the parent company which governs BRTS operations in Ahmedabad, was constituted as a Special Purpose Vehicle by Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation, Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority and Government of Gujarat. AJL introduced Automated fare collection system through smart cards for commuters.[11]

It has a mixed fleet of air conditioned and non-air conditioned buses. It has 220 Euro III and Euro IV-compliant diesel buses.[28] Parts for the buses are provided by Tata Motors. These buses are built by Chartered Speed locally according to specifications.

The system runs on Integrated Transportation Management System (IMTS) which includes Advanced Vehicle Tracking System (AVLS), Fleet Management System (FMS), Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), Passenger Information System (PIS), Passenger announcement (PA), and Vehicle Scheduling and Dispatching (VSD). These technologies are provided by the consortium of Vayam Technologies and GMV Innovating Solutions since 2010. As a part of Intelligent Transit Management System (ITMS), an app based and QR code powered ticketing system will be introduced by June 2017.[29]

Recognition

Ahmedabad BRTS was rated Silver on BRT Standard in 2013. It was showcased at 2012 United Nations Climate Change Conference as a 'lighthouse project' as part of the United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon's Momentum for Change Initiative.[15][30]

Awards

  • National Award for "Award for Excellence in the category of Best IMTS Project – 2011" from Government of India[10]
  • International Award for "Sustainable Transport Award – 2010" at Washington DC, United States.[10][31][32]
  • National Award for "Best Mass Transit Rapid System Project - 2009" from Government of India.[10][33]
  • International Award for "Outstanding Innovations in Public Transportation – 2010" from UITP, Germany[10]
  • National Award for "Best Innovation Project Towards Improvement in Urban Mobility in the City of Ahmedabad through New Technological Innovations in Janmarg BRTS – 2010" from Government of India.[10]
  • International Award for Design – "Daring Ambition Award and Knowledge and Research Award – 2011" at 59th UITP World Congress, Dubai.[10]
  • UITP India Political Commitment Award at 60th UITP World Congress, Geneva on 27 May 2013[10]
  • Markenomy Awards 2013 for " Best Urban Infra Mass Transport Project" from Falcom Media at Mumbai[10]

Criticism

BRTS failed to increase the number of public transport users in Ahmedabad. Before launch of BRTS, in 2009, the number of public transport users (users of AMTS) was 8 to 8.5 lakh. After six years of operation, in January 2016, it is found that the number of public transport users (combined users of BRTS and AMTS) dropped to 7.5 lakh. During the same period, the number of private vehicles in the city increased by 54%, up from 18.2 lakh to 25.10 lakh. Only 18% of the total population of the city uses public transport.[12][22][23]

In 2011, 42 km network of BRTS had daily average passenger traffic of 1.2 lakh which increased only marginally to 1.32 lakh in 2016 despite expansion of network to 89 km.[22]

In 2015, AJL spent ₹ 98 crore on operation incurring loss of ₹ 35 crore. In 2015, there are 213 buses with AJL. 80% of them are air conditioned diesel buses which has average of 1.5 km per litre of diesel resulting in increase in air pollution.[34] Air conditioned buses can not be run on CNG and they are meant to attract more passengers.[22][35] Dedicated BRTS corridors causes traffic jams at several places especially in Old Ahmedabad.[36][37][38][39] As of June 2017, 186 out of 250 Buses are air conditioned.[40]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://deshgujarat.com/2014/12/24/amts-to-use-brts-lane-on-two-stretches-cm-to-dedicate-new-brts-corridors-routes-buses-bus-stations-tomorrow/
  2. ↑ "Modi opens two new BRTS routes". DeshGujarat. Ahmedabad. DeshGujarat.Com. 25 December 2012. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  3. ↑ "Janmarg Routes". CEPT. Janmarg Ltd.-AMC. Retrieved 4 January 2013.
  4. ↑ Shaikh, Sarfaraz (31 March 2018). "The missing last-mile link". The Times of India. Retrieved 16 August 2018.
  5. ↑ https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/ahmedabad-bus-users-down-25-in-a-decade/articleshow/64877102.cms
  6. 1 2 https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/ahmedabad/brt-traffic-stagnant-despite-bigger-network-fleet/articleshow/64936831.cms
  7. ↑ Offensive, Marking Them (21 July 2016). "Anger spills over to streets in Ahmedabad". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 23 July 2016.
  8. ↑ "Bus services opting for diesel over cleaner CNG". The Times of India. 21 December 2015. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  9. ↑ http://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/cover-story/brts-smart-cards-go-kaput-45000-users-get-affected/articleshow/59259914.cms
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "About-Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd". Ahmedabad BRTS. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Ahmedabad BRTS:Urban Transport Initiatives in India: Best Practices in PPP" (PDF). National Institute of Urban Affairs. 2010. pp. 18–48. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  12. 1 2 "City's BRTS didn't enhance public transport usage". The Times of India. 5 January 2016. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  13. 1 2 "Ahmedabad kicks off 500-cr integrated BRTS". One India News. 4 May 2006. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  14. ↑ "Ahmedabad BRTS is the best, says expert". Ahmedabad Mirror. Bennett Coleman & Co. Ltd. 1 August 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  15. 1 2 "Ahmedabad, Bus Rapid Transit system, Janmarg". United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Retrieved 7 January 2013.
  16. ↑ "Modi launches BRT, attack on critics". The Indian Express.
  17. ↑ Manish, Kumar (16 October 2009). "Day 1: Amdavadis give thumbs up to BRTS". The Times of India.
  18. ↑ Manish, Kumar (27 December 2009). "BRTS bridges city's east-west divide". The Times of India.
  19. ↑ Dutta, Vishal (2013-05-19). "BRTS: Lessons Delhi can learn from Ahmedabad's transport system". The Economics Times. p. 1. Retrieved 2013-05-19.
  20. ↑ "Shivranjani-Iskcon BRTS stretch in Ahmedabad operational, finally! – Ahmedabad – DNA". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  21. ↑ "New BRTS stretch gets operational". globalgujaratnews.com. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 8 July 2013.
  22. 1 2 3 4 John, Paul (1 January 2016). "In era of BRTS, users of public transport shrink". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  23. 1 2 "BRTS takes up 35% of road space for just 1% of traffic". The Times of India. Retrieved 2018-07-12.
  24. ↑ Yagnik, Bharat (20 September 2013). "Budget cleared for 3rd phase of Ahmedabad's BRTS project". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  25. ↑ India (7 January 2016). "Women BRTS buses on five routes from Jan 8". The Indian Express. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  26. ↑ "Amritsar to copy Ahmedabad BRTS model".
  27. ↑ http://www.ahmedabadbrts.org/web/AirportShuttleService.html
  28. ↑ John, Paul (6 January 2016). "Clean fuel BRTS dream stolen by toxic diesel". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  29. ↑ Patel, Lakshmi (3 December 2016). "BRTS' APPealing plan for hassle-free ride". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 29 April 2017.
  30. ↑ Goswami, Urmi (15 November 2012). "UN Climate Change Negotiations 2012: Ahmedabad's Bus Rapid Transit System to be showcased by United Nations". The Economic Times. Bennett, Coleman & Co. Ltd. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  31. ↑ "Ahmedabad, India Wins 2010 Sustainable Transport Award". PRN Newswire. 10 January 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  32. ↑ "Developed Ahmedabad impresses World Bank". Daily News and Analysis. Ahmedabad. DNA. 21 Jan 2010. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  33. ↑ "Ahmedabad Janmarg BRTS brings honour to Gujarat". Daily News and Analysis. Ahmedabad. DNA. 4 December 2009. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  34. ↑ John, Paul (6 January 2016). "Clean fuel BRTS dream stolen by toxic diesel". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  35. ↑ John, Paul (4 January 2016). "Citizens choke in BRTS lanes". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  36. ↑ Dave, Ketan (8 April 2016). "People of Ahmedabad can vandalize BRTS anytime, says IB report". The Times of India. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
  37. ↑ Rajput, Vipul (4 April 2015). "BRTS gridlocks Walled City roads". Ahmedabad Mirror. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  38. ↑ John, Paul (3 January 2016). "City rivals larger Delhi in BRTS jams". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  39. ↑ Tewari, Ankur (30 September 2014). "Chinese expert finds flaws in Ahmedabad BRTS". The Times of India. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
  40. ↑ http://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/cover-story/heres-why-brts-isnt-smooth-ride-for-all/articleshow/58885025.cms
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