Why Bengaluru now measures distance by minutes and not kilometers
In Bengaluru, travel distances are measured in minutes, not kilometers. The 2024 TomTom Traffic Index named it the world’s third-slowest city, with a 10km journey taking 34 minutes on average. However, opinions on the ranking are divided. While the traffic police dismissed it as “unrealistic,” mobility experts and road users criticized its methodology, claiming real-world commutes often take longer.
To investigate, TOI tested five key BMTC bus routes during peak and non-peak hours. Findings revealed journeys frequently exceeded the index’s average time.
- Marathahalli to Silk Board (9.6 km): This congested tech corridor took 55 minutes, worsened by metro construction.
- Silk Board to Electronics City (9.14 km): Despite being lighter during off-peak hours, this route took 41 minutes, hindered by bottlenecks like Roopena Agrahara.
- Electronics City to Silk Board (9.2 km): A non-peak afternoon ride took just under 20 minutes, reflecting quieter traffic.
- Madivala to Mysore Bank Circle (9.4 km): The journey took 54 minutes, with narrow roads and roadside parking adding to delays.
- Majestic to Richmond Circle (4.4 km): A 19-minute trip was extended by a significant wait at Maharani’s College Signal.
Experts, including Prof. Ashish Verma of IISc, noted the TomTom report overlooks local nuances like road infrastructure and diverse transport patterns. Without these, it fails to capture Bengaluru’s traffic reality.
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