Ahmedabad has always been cited as the best model in India for the bus rapid transit system (BRTS), a common sight in parts of Latin America and Europe.
The city has now got a fleet of 123 Marco Polo buses from Tata Motors. These are air-conditioned and fitted with automatic transmission which makes the drive comfortable for the person manning the wheel.
The BRTS initiative is working like a charm in Ahmedabad and the latest fleet will give it a far more upmarket feel. As a result, it will do the trick in motivating people to travel in them as was seen with the classy Delhi Metro. The idea is to reduce travel in personal vehicles and opt for alternatives which are faster and easier on the wallet.
Apart from Ahmedabad, Indore in Madhya Pradesh as well as Hubli-Dharwad in Karnataka are implementing the BRTS concept. Transport planners believe more cities could join the bandwagon so long as respective state governments back the idea.
According to them, mobility solutions like these hold the key to travel in the future as cities grapple with the challenge of growing population numbers and pressure on roads. Mumbai is a classic case in point where its suburban trains are groaning under huge passenger loads day in and out.
Ahmedabad, on the contrary, has a saner option on offer with its residents queuing up for the BRTS by the droves. With the latest Marco Polo buses which are more comfortable, there is added reason to travel in them.