Design fault discourages use of BRTS’ cycle tracks: Walter Hook

Better design of cycle tracks would have encouraged cyclists to utilise space better, says Walter Hook, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Institute for Transportation and Development Policy. Hook, who has been associated with BRTS in Ahmedabad since the conceptual stage, shares his views about the project, its success, usage of cycle tracks and plying BRTS buses along with mixed traffic lanes, with DNA’s Jitendra Dave. Excerpts:

You have been associated with BRTS in Ahmedabad from the conceptual level to implementation. What is your impression about it?
Well, implementation of BRTS is beyond our expectations. We have been in constant consultation with Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (Cept) that was preparing the design. Moreover, various urban transport models from other parts of the world were also studied. Local authorities including AMC and the state government were willing to spend money for providing better infrastructure facility to people. As a result, other cities of India find Ahmedabad BRTS an impressive project.

What made you think that BRTS could be feasible and successful in Ahmedabad?
When the concept of BRTS was introduced in Ahmedabad the public transport service provided by Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) had collapsed and its readership was very low and decreasing. The city needed a good quality bus service as it was not likely to get huge investment needed for a metro rail system. So a bus based public transport had good potential and scope in the city for growth.

Cycle tracks are a much talked about subject. But why are cyclists not using the tracks?
Cycle track is an essential part of BRTS. However, something is wrong with the design of the track in Ahmedabad. Firstly, there is no constant cycle track on the BRTS route as a result of which the cyclists do not bother to use the track for short distances. The track should have been designed next to the bus lanes, so it would not have been occupied by vendors as is the case at present. Moreover, there must be defined parking space that separates bike lanes and do not allow other vehicles to use it as a parking space.

BRTS might have taken a few two-wheelers off the road. However, it has not succeeded in attracting people using cars. What could be the reason?
Look, cars are used only by the rich so it forms only a small portion of traffic. In Ahmedabad, there are lesser cars compared to other cities. World over there is around 10-20% shift from cars to public transport. Moreover, defined parking space with higher parking charges will stop people using cars when they need to park it for a longer period of time.

Is it advisable to ply BRTS buses in mixed traffic lanes?
Initially we were not in favour of plying in mixed traffic lane. However, now it can be used for reaching high demand points where there is no dedicated corridor, but it needs to be carefully controlled. We have such practice in cities like Johannesburg in South Africa.