Bengaluru is set to revive the Bus Priority Lane (BPL) system along the Outer Ring Road (ORR) in a new format aimed at reducing congestion in the city’s busiest IT corridor.
Under the revised proposal, buses and high-occupancy vehicles carrying more than three passengers will be allowed to use the dedicated lane, creating a version of the globally used Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS).
Dedicated lane to return after Metro work
The earlier bus priority lane introduced in 2019 covered a 17-km stretch from Central Silk Board to KR Puram. However, the system was disrupted after construction work for the Blue Line Metro required the removal of nearly 25,000 fibre-reinforced bollards installed along the corridor.
Officials said the revived BPL system will now be integrated into the ₹400-crore redevelopment project on the ORR, which includes white-topping, road resurfacing, and improvements to footpaths and service roads.
According to transport authorities, the earlier system had reduced BMTC travel time by nearly 15 minutes and increased commuter usage by around 4 per cent before the pandemic.
Bengaluru looks at mixed experiences from other cities
While BRTS systems have struggled in several Indian cities including Delhi, Pune, Indore, and Vijayawada, Bengaluru officials appear to be adopting a modified approach by allowing high-occupancy vehicles alongside buses.
Experts note that poor implementation, lane violations by private vehicles, congestion outside dedicated corridors, and weak maintenance affected similar systems elsewhere.
Ahmedabad and Hubballi-Dharwad seen as examples
Ahmedabad remains one of India’s more successful BRTS examples, with nearly 1.6 lakh daily users across an 89-km network.
Closer home, the Hubballi-Dharwad BRTS corridor has also seen significant commuter usage despite operational challenges and accidents caused by lane violations.
Officials said companies located along the ORR have also been encouraged to explore dedicated employee bus services and discounted passes to reduce private vehicle usage.