A bus on the home stretch for HSR Layout residents in Bengaluru  Premium

As ‘Feeder IA’ makes its way into HSR Layout, residents receive the “visitor” variously -- some with a knitted brow, surprised by the presence of a BMTC bus in their neck of the woods; and those who knew it was coming their way, smile and hop on the bus for a ride. They are greeted by the conductor with an enthusiasm matching theirs. The conductor holds a laminated map of the route, and shares the details it has to offer.

As ‘Feeder IA’ makes its way into HSR Layout, residents receive the “visitor” variously -- some with a knitted brow, surprised by the presence of a BMTC bus in their neck of the woods; and those who knew it was coming their way, smile and hop on the bus for a ride. They are greeted by the conductor with an enthusiasm matching theirs. The conductor holds a laminated map of the route, and shares the details it has to offer. 

That is how it was on August 2 at HSR Layout, a day after the service started plying in the locality. 

Launched by Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation, along with the Directorate of Urban Land Transport (DULT) as part of the Sustainable Mobility Accords (SuMA) programme, this feeder service will go down as Bengaluru’s early exercises to address the question of last-mile connectivity.  

There is also an element of responsible citizenry to this initiative. The service with its various features can justifiably be seen as the result of three years of discussions between volunteers from HSR Citizen Forum and HSR Cyclists Group and DULT. 

Part of these interactions had helped firm up the stops on the route. Originating at Agara bus stand, the bus proceeds to take in the major sections of HSR Layout, including Mangammanapalya and Somasundrapalya. Eighteen stops have been marked, ensuring coverage of all the seven sectors of HSR Layout. Currently, 10 buses are in harness, and arrives with an impressive frequency of 10 to 15 minutes. 

The citizen group continues to engage with BMTC drivers to fine-tune the route and also to train the staff on adopting ways to nudge people into using this service. 

Nirupama V, a resident, got to know about this new service through the WhatsApp group from her street. “Although my walk home from the Agara bus stand needs less than 1.5 km, getting a bus to cover that distance for you is certainly a huge help after a long day at work,” says Nirupama, who uses the public transport to get to her workplace on MG Road.