95 per cent private vehicle users open to Bengaluru metro shift

A recent commuter survey called Personal2Public, conducted in response to the Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited's (BMRCL) plan to operationalise the entire Purple Line (Challaghatta to Whitefield, 43km) and Yellow Line (RV Road to Bommasandra), has unveiled an encouraging trend. The survey found that 95 per cent of respondents who currently use private vehicles to commute to work are willing to shift to the Metro in the future.The survey gathered responses from 3,855 participants, with 60 per cent of them relying on either cars or two-wheelers for their daily work commute. Most respondents were from areas like Whitefield, Outer Ring Road (ORR), and Electronics City. Their primary demand is for authorities to resolve first and last-mile connectivity issues and ensure hassle-free access to Metro stations by constructing footpaths and cycle lanes.The Personal2Public survey is a collaborative effort involving the Bangalore Political Action Committee (B.PAC), WRI India, and various corporate and civil society partners.Currently, commuters in Bengaluru spend a minimum of 60 minutes travelling just 10km. Metro users spend less than 45 minutes on their primary mode of transport, but when combined with first and last-mile commuting, the average travel time extends to 1 to 1.5 hours. Car users typically spend 1-1.5 hours in traffic in one direction, while two-wheeler users require 45 minutes to an hour.The survey also highlights the potential benefits of the Purple Line network, especially for tech companies along the Outer Ring Road (ORR). It suggests that high-frequency feeder services from the KR Puram Metro station, operating every two minutes during peak hours with a flat fare, would significantly benefit professionals. Additionally, the survey proposes exploring the feasibility of providing feeder services from other stations along the Whitefield line.Currently, more than 0.64 million professionals work in over 500 companies located on ORR, with an average of 0.34 million vehicles plying the road from KR Puram to Central Silk Board. Addressing these transportation challenges and promoting Metro usage can alleviate congestion and improve the daily commute for Bengaluru's residents.