Happy news for bangaloreans! Today’s newspapers beamed the announcement of BMTC to completely switch over to a direction-based grid-based system by November 1.
What is direction based grid-based system? And how is it different from the radial system?

In a radial route structure, all of the routes originate from a common point and extend to the outlying areas. The central location serves as a transfer point, and is frequently located at a destination with high transit activity. Historically,this is where the business concentration is – for example the three traditional hubs of Bangalore K.R.Market, Majestic (Bangalore Bus station) and Shivajinagara.

In a grid route structure, all of the routes function along a two-way direction (north/south or east/west). The routes are normally spaced equidistantly if the roadway structure permits. This structure has no central transfer location.
Instead, the transfers are conducted at intersections of the routes. This type of service is mainly used in urban areas where the population density is greater and equally distributed across the area.

This has already been introduced on a pilot basis on 25 routes. More details here
and here.
Now this will be completed throughout the city by November.

The advantages to the commuters will be reduction in waiting time, convenient short distance transfer points etween long distance destinations. A commuter can take a bus from “anywhere to anywhere”. Future plans include convenient parking facilities near terminals in order to encourage car users to use bus transport thereby reducing the pressure on road traffic.

Another changes that would need to be introduced to increase the efficiency of the system is a synchronous traffic signal system. Considering the effort involved in implementing such a system, as a short term measure, there should be a priority for public buses at signals. And the final challenge is to persuade the public to shift from cars to using public transport by fine- tuning the sytem to its optimum efficiency.

The scheme would reach its optimal level with the implementation of the proposals of the draft Master Plan 2015 for Bangalore, the revised Comprehensive Development Plan (CDP) unveiled by the Bangalore Development Authority, moots a grid-wise development of roads across the City. With this, there will be ‘blocks’ that the City is divided into based on intersection points of any of the ring roads with any of the radial roads.

And add the grid based bus transport system and life in Bangalore will not be a bumpy ride but a smooth sail.
Soon, very soon!