BIG Bus Network - Bangalore, India
While the BIG Bus system is still in its early stages, once fully operational it is expected to carry 2.5 million passengers per day in a fleet of 3,000 buses. Photo by Benoit Colin/EMBARQ.
In addition to shifts in operations and route design, the BIG Bus system also uses a strong brand to distinguish it from the regular city bus service. Learn more about the importance of branding and marketing public transport in EMBARQ’s From Here to There publication. Photo by Benoit Colin/EMBARQ.
Beyond helping to reorganize the bus system itself, EMBARQ India is also working with the city to develop plans for improving public space and accessibility around bus stations and major transport hubs. EMBARQ India’s plan to revitalize the Hosur Sarjapur Road (HSR) corridor was a winner of the “Safer Roads, Safer India: Game Changing Innovations that Save Lives” Challenge organized by Ashoka Changemakers and Underwriters Laboratories (UL). Photo by Benoit Colin/EMBARQ.
Despite the fact that over a quarter of the city’s population relies on public transport, 58% of the investments in Bangalore’s comprehensive mobility plan go to road construction and expansion. High quality, time-saving systems like the BIG Bus can make public transport attractive for users and reverse the trend of car-oriented development. Photo by Benoit Colin/EMBARQ.
The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) operates the largest fleet of buses in India, with over 6,000 buses in operation. Based on EMBARQ India’s recommendations, the BIG Bus system will help to streamline and increase efficiency of the entire bus network, greatly benefiting users. Photo by Benoit Colin/EMBARQ.
Bangalore’s BIG Bus network is one of a number of ambitious projects to improve the quality of people-oriented, sustainable transport in Indian cities. To learn more about how effective bus system planning and management can advance sustainable urban development, see EMBARQ India’s Bus Karo Guidebook on Planning and Operations. Photo by Benoit Colin/EMBARQ.
One of Bangalore’s main goals in introducing the BIG system was to make public transport more accessible for all users by simplifying routes and schedules. The system also introduced a new ‘trunk and feeder’ system, with easily identifiable green trunk buses operating on major corridors. Photo by Benoit Colin/EMBARQ.
The city of Bangalore has the largest bus system in India, and one of the 20 largest in the world. To meet the needs of Bangalore's growing population, the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) - working with EMBARQ India - has transformed Bangalore’s bus system, introducing the Bangalore Intra-city Grid (BIG) system in 2013.
The new system features integrated services and user-friendly routes that have already yielded improvements in quality of service and capacity. Still in its early stages, the new system currently serves 150,000 passengers per day, and was recognized with the 2012 Volvo Sustainable Mobility Award. Over the next two years, the BIG Bus Network will expand city-wide, incorporate over 3,000 buses operating under enhanced planning and management, and improve the public transport experience for 2.5 million riders daily.