We, the undersigned citizens of Bengaluru, urgently call upon our government to prioritise and implement an integrated and sustainable urban mobility plan for our city. Our current transportation system is plagued by severe traffic congestion, poor air quality, and inadequate infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transit users. Past attempts at improvement have fallen short, and we believe that by learning from these experiences, adopting best practices from successful cities worldwide, and implementing transparent, corruption-free processes, we can transform Bengaluru into a model of sustainable urban mobility.

We hereby petition the government to:

1. Prioritise Pedestrian and Cyclist Infrastructure

   - Expand the network of dedicated, safe bike lanes from the current 50 km to at least 200 km within the next three years.

   - Improve pedestrian infrastructure by widening sidewalks, creating pedestrian-only zones, and ensuring all major roads have safe crossings.

   - Implement design principles that prioritize level paths for cyclists and pedestrians, including elevated lanes and bridges where necessary.

2. Enhance and Integrate Public Transit

   - Accelerate the expansion of the Namma Metro to cover all major corridors of the city.

   - Fully implement the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) across all modes of public transport in Bengaluru, ensuring easy accessibility and user-friendly interfaces.

3. Comprehensively Overhaul and Modernise the BMTC

   - Conduct a thorough, independent audit of the current BMTC system, including routes, frequencies, fleet condition, and operational efficiency.

   - Implement a modern, cashless ticketing system across all buses:

     a. Phase out printed tickets entirely within one year to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

     b. Introduce contactless payment options, including the full integration of the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC).

     c. Ensure all conductors accept digital payments, including UPI, across the entire fleet.

   - Implement an efficient, user-friendly real-time bus tracking and passenger information system:

     a. Instead of investing in costly proprietary mobile apps, integrate BMTC services fully with Google Maps and other widely-used navigation platforms.

     b. Ensure real-time GPS data from all buses is accurately and consistently fed into these platforms.

     c. Place QR codes at all bus stops linking to real-time arrival information on Google Maps or similar platforms.

     d. Maintain digital displays at major bus stops showing expected arrival times, sourced from the same data feed.

   - Revise and optimise bus routes and frequencies:

     a. Conduct a comprehensive study of travel patterns and demand in Bengaluru.

     b. Redesign routes to better serve high-demand corridors and underserved areas.

     c. Implement dynamic frequency adjustments based on real-time demand data.

   - Upgrade the bus fleet:

     a. Accelerate the transition to electric buses to reduce emissions and operating costs.

     b. Ensure all buses are equipped with features for accessibility, including low floors for easy boarding.

   - Improve bus priority measures:

     a. Implement dedicated bus lanes on major corridors, learning from past failures and international best practices.

     b. Install transit signal priority at key intersections to reduce bus travel times.

   - Enhance integration with other modes of transport:

     a. Develop seamless interchanges between bus stops and metro stations.

     b. Implement integrated fare systems that allow easy transfers between buses and metro.

   - Improve transparency and accountability:

     a. Publish monthly performance reports, including punctuality, ridership, and customer satisfaction metrics.

     b. Establish a public feedback system and commit to addressing major issues within specific timeframes.

4. Implement Effective Traffic Management

   - Learn from the failures of the previous Intelligent Transport System (ITS) implementation:

     a. Conduct a thorough audit of the previous system to identify shortcomings.

     b. Develop a new ITS with robust technology, regular maintenance, and staff training.

     c. Ensure real-time data accuracy and system reliability.

   - Introduce congestion pricing in high-traffic areas to discourage private vehicle use during peak hours.

   - Develop a comprehensive mobility app that integrates reliable real-time information and payment systems for all modes of transport.

5. Revive and Improve Dedicated Bus Lanes

   - Learn from the failures of the Outer Ring Road bus lanes:

     a. Conduct a study to understand why buses didn't use the lanes and why other vehicles encroached upon them.

     b. Redesign bus lanes with physical separators to prevent encroachment by other vehicles.

     c. Implement strict enforcement measures, including cameras and fines for violations.

     d. Ensure proper integration with ongoing and future infrastructure projects, including metro construction.

   - Identify and implement bus lanes on other high-traffic corridors, using the lessons learned.

6. Promote Sustainable and Active Transportation

   - Implement a city-wide bike-sharing system integrated with public transit hubs.

   - Create incentives for companies and individuals to adopt sustainable commuting practices.

   - Launch public awareness campaigns to promote the benefits of active transportation and public transit use.

7. Ensure Transparency and Public Participation

   - Establish an independent oversight committee for all major mobility projects to prevent corruption and ensure efficient implementation.

   - Implement open data policies for all mobility projects, allowing public scrutiny and participation.

   - Conduct regular town halls and create digital platforms for citizens to provide input on mobility planning and implementation.

   - Publish quarterly progress reports on all mobility initiatives, including honest assessments of challenges and failures.

8. Secure Adequate Funding and Efficient Implementation

   - Allocate at least 20% of the city's infrastructure budget to sustainable mobility projects.

   - Explore public-private partnerships and international cooperation for funding and expertise, similar to successful projects in cities like Hanoi.

   - Set clear timelines and accountability measures for all mobility projects to ensure timely completion.

   - Implement a system of penalties for contractors and officials responsible for project delays or failures.

9. Improve and Optimise the Smart Traffic Signal System

   - Conduct a thorough review of the current smart signal implementation, particularly focusing on its impact on pedestrian safety and convenience.

   - Address the reported issues of pedestrian signals not changing or having excessively long wait times, especially near high-traffic areas like MG Road.

   - Ensure that the AI-driven system balances the needs of all road users, not just vehicular traffic.

   - Implement the following improvements:

     a. Adjust signal timing algorithms to give adequate priority to pedestrian crossings.

     b. Install pedestrian push buttons at all smart signal intersections to allow manual triggering of crossing signals.

     c. Implement a real-time monitoring system for pedestrian wait times and crossing incidents.

     d. Conduct regular audits of pedestrian safety and convenience at smart signal intersections.

   - Accelerate the completion of the smart signal project, ensuring all 28 planned intersections are fully operational by the end of 2024.

   - Establish a public feedback system specifically for the smart signal implementation, allowing citizens to report issues and suggest improvements.

   - Publish monthly progress reports on the smart signal system, including data on traffic flow improvements, pedestrian wait times, and any incidents or issues.

   - Collaborate with urban planning experts and conduct public consultations to continuously improve the system's effectiveness for all road users.

   - Study and adopt best practices from successful implementations in cities like Singapore and Seoul, particularly regarding pedestrian signal integration and public awareness campaigns.

10. Ensure Transparency and Accountability in Smart Signal Implementation

    - Publish a detailed timeline and budget for the complete rollout of the smart signal system.

    - Disclose all contracts and agreements with involved companies, including Modorato and Nagoya Electric Works Company.

    - Establish an independent oversight committee to monitor the implementation and effectiveness of the smart signal system.

    - Conduct and publish an annual third-party audit of the system's performance, including its impact on overall traffic management and pedestrian safety.

We believe these comprehensive measures are crucial for creating an efficient, user-friendly, and sustainable urban mobility system in Bengaluru. The current focus on metro expansion, while important, should not come at the expense of neglecting and underinvesting in our bus system, pedestrian infrastructure, and overall integrated mobility solutions.

We urge the government to prioritise these improvements alongside other urban mobility initiatives. A modern, efficient, and integrated transportation system is essential for reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, enhancing the overall quality of life in our city, and positioning Bengaluru as a leader in sustainable urban development.

By signing this petition, we demonstrate our commitment to a better Bengaluru and our willingness to support the government in implementing these necessary changes. We also pledge to hold our leaders accountable for the successful implementation of these initiatives.

Sincerely,
The Concerned Citizens of Bengaluru

Take Action: Contact Your Representatives

We urge you to send this petition directly to your elected representatives.

For Lok Sabha (Parliament) members representing Karnataka, please visit https://sansad.in/ls/members and filter by State: Karnataka to find their contact details.

For Vidhan Sabha (State Assembly) members, visit https://kla.kar.nic.in/assembly/member/members.htmto locate your local representative's information.

Your voice matters in shaping the future of Bengaluru's mobility.