BRTS (BUS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM)

BY
RAGSUKUM
KRIPA SHANKAR DHUSIYA
SUBHENDU SHEKHAR SAHOO
L ANKIT AGARWAL
SRIKANT DEBATA
PULKIT JALAN
D SURAJ KUMAR
NAMAN KUMAR

Are We Really Developing ????

Cities in India are getting choked today

Efforts so far
Road widening for vehicles - often compromising

footpaths
Flyovers
A few cities have opted for metro rail

Some others now opting for

BRTS

BUS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM

(BRTS)

BUS RAPID TRANSIT SYSTEM (BRTS)

WHAT IS BRTS??
Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) is a high quality, ultra

modern, customer oriented transit option that could

deliver fast, comfortable and cost-effective urban
mobility, quite similar to metro rail.
This highly effective and economical mass transit
option is now a way of life in many developing as well
as developed countries such as India,China, Taiwan,
Brazil, Columbia, Ecuador, Japan, United States of
America, Australia, New Zealand, England, France
and so on.

MAIN FEATURES OF BRTS

At-grade bus lanes preferred for increasing commuter
access, operational flexibility and reducing costs.
Priority for buses at intersections.
Urban / low floor buses.
Properly designed bus shelters for efficient and safe
boarding / alighting
Pedestrian facilities for along' and across'
movements.
Inter-modal integration through single ticketing for
seamless travel.
11

PRINCIPLES OF BRTS
Move people as effectively as rail at a potentially lower initial

capital cost
Fully utilize existing roadways, rights-of-way, and station sites
Take advantage of available technology (e.g., automatic
vehicle location, passenger information, signal priority, and
Smart Card type fare collection)
Apply incremental system development, based on demand and
funding
Maximize operating flexibility
Change the mindset for bus transit from conventional bus
fleet operations to state-of-the-art transit systems that are
convenient, reliable, attractive, and comfortable

BRTS BENEFITS
Short Term Benefits:
1.
2.
3.

Medium-Term Benefits:

1. Promoting social inclusion instead

of isolation.
Efficient,
reliable
and
frequent services
2. Direct and indirect job creation in
both
the
transportation
and
Affordable fares
construction industries
A safe and secure public
transport system

4. Universal design
5. A
decrease
congestion,

in

road

Long-Term Benefits:

1. Economic development in and

around
the
areas
of
BRT
6. Decrease
energy
operation
consumption and vehicle
2. Reduction in pollution
emissions(co2)
7. An
enhanced
urban 3. Reduction of harmful pollutants
and greenhouse gases
environment

BRTS BENEFITS

BRTS ON INDIAN ROADS

JanMarg (PeopleWay)
Janmarg also known as Ahmedabad BRTS, is a bus rapid transit in Ahmedabad, India. It is

operated by Ahmedabad Janmarg Limited, a subsidiary of Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation.

It is designed by Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) University.

Ahmedabad has a population of 72 lakhs(7.2 million), which is likely to be 11 million by the year

2035.

This would lead to agglomeration of surrounding settlements like Naroda and other smaller
villages, which ultimately increases the area of the city, which may become 1,000 km 2 in the year
2035.

Ahmedabad has limited public transport options. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and Gujarat

State Government initiated a plan for integrated public transit system, in which Bus Rapid Transit
System) is one of the components, to facilitate the major mobility need of the people.
It has system designs quite similar to Curitiba's Rede Integrada de

Transporte and Bogota's TransMilenio.

The corridors have been identified on the basis of Based on an analysis of the socio-economic

factors, travel demand patterns, road network characteristics, proposed metro plan and
existing Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS) route network as the criteria, a network
of roads covering about 155 kilometers in length have been identified for developing the Bus
Rapid Transit System within Ahmedabad.
.

BACKGROUND OF JanMarg
Ahmedabad has limited public transport options. Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation and

Gujarat State Government initiated a plan for integrated public transit system, in which
Bus Rapid Transit System) is one of the components, to facilitate the major mobility need
of the people.
Technical procedures were started in 2006. A part of the first corridor connecting Pirana

to RTO Junction was opened to public on October 14, 2009 by Chief Minister of Gujarat,
Narendra Modi. Second half of the first phase of the BRTS was inaugurated on December
25, 2009. It was stretched up to Kankaria Lake later to cater eastern part of the city.
Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation has incorporated Special Purpose Vehicle called

Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd in order to run and to operate BRTS buses. Ahmedabad Janmarg
Ltd is registered under Companies Act, 1956 and is 100% subsidiary of Ahmedabad
Municipal Corporation. In order to provide faster, reliable, eco friendly and advanced
Public Transportation, Ahmedabad Janmarg Ltd is committed to operate and run BRTS
services for the citizen of Ahmadabad

OBJECTIVE OF JANMARG
The trans-vision of Ahmedabad captioned as Accessible Ahmedabad is to
redesign the city structure and transport systems towards greater accessibility,
efficient mobility and lower carbon future . The objective of the BRTS is:
To summarize various initiatives taken up in the past, review progress of
implementation.
To present Ahmedabads land use transport context.
To identify and present improvements/additions for implementation during the
next 4 years.
Reducing need for travel;
Reducing the length of travel; and
Reducing automobile dependence.

NEED OF BRTS
There are many reasons for developing Bus Rapid Transit system

Central business districts (CBDs) have continued to prosper and grow in ways that require more
transport capacity and improved access. Given the cost and environmental impacts associated with
parking and road construction and the traditional urban form of most CBDs, improved and expanded
public transport emerges as an important alternative for providing that capacity.
BRTS systems can often be implemented quickly and incrementally.
For a given distance of dedicated running way, BRTS is generally less costly to build than rail transit.
Moreover, where BRTS vehicles can reliably operate at high speeds on high-occupancy vehicle
(HOV) lanes or general-purpose highways and streets over significant proportions of a given route,
running way capital costs will be even lower compared to those for rail modes, which must be
purpose-built over the entire distance covered.
BRTS can be the most cost-effective means of serving a broad variety of urban and suburban
environments. BRTS vehicles, whether they are driver-steered or electronically guided, can operate
on streets, in freeway medians on railroads right-of-way, on aerial structures, and underground.
BRTS can provide quality performance with sufficient transport capacity. The efficiency of the system
and high capacity of the passengers depends
on the system as a whole and not necessarily on the size of buses, though when necessary articulated
buses could be used with ease. BRTS is designed and developed to tackle all the drawbacks of the
existing bus system in an economical and efficient manner. It is a low-cost option for providing cities
with a quality transit option .

Challenges before the initiative:

Addressing inadequacies in transit infrastructure Structuring urban road network,
connectivity, network completion
High quality and efficient public transport system Mode shifts in favour of PT,
Sustainable solution
Land use and Transport integration Land use plans, transport facilities, high densities
along PT
Enforcement Policy making, traffic behaviour, curbing private vehicle use
Introduction and enhancement of Urban Transportation
Comprehensive Mobility Plan
Completing network Building river bridges, flyovers, Rail over Bridges
Planning and Implementation of Bus Rapid Transit System
Integrated Transit System Plan - Introduction of Suburban rail System and Metro Rail
system

NETWORK LINES
Following are the12 currently operational linesserving 126 BRTS
stations:
1. Line no. 1RTO Circle - Maninagar
2. Line no. 2Anjali (Vasna) - Naroda
3. Line no. 3RTO Circle - Naroda
4. Line no. 4RTO Circle - Sarkari Litho Press (Delhi Darwaja)
5. Line no. 5Ghuma - Iskcon - Maninagar
6. Line no. 6Soni Ni Chali - Odhav - S P Ring Road
7. Line no. 7Sarkari Litho Press (Delhi Darwaja) - Science City Approach
8. Line no. 8Chandkheda - Visat Junction - Maninagar
9. Line no. 9RTO Circle - Town Hall (Ellisbridge) - Memco - Naroda
10.Line no. 10Anjali (Vasna) - Kalupur Railway Station (Ahmedabad

Central)
11.Line no. 11RTO Circle - Nehrunagar - Kalupur - RTO Circle
12.Line no. 12Anjali (Vasna) - Kalupur - Akhbarnagar - Anjali (Vasna)

BUS STATION DESIGN AND

VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY

Bus Station

Bus stops are constructed such that average

distance between 2 consecutive stations
varies between 500 to 700 metres.

The size of a single bus shelter with two

bus bays is 28.6 m by 2.5 m.

The two bays, each measuring 12 m in

length has been divided by a 4.6 M wide
walkway.

The bus stop near intersections shall be

accessed using zebra crossings provided at
intersection and the 2.0 m footpath
between BRT lane and mixed traffic lane.

Bus Design
High floor buses (900mm)
Flat floor
Standard bus (Capacity 80

passengers )
Two wide central doors
Width of doors in centre 1960
mm
Length of bus -12 m
Cleaner Euro III Diesel
Mix of A.C. and Non A.C
Perfect docking alignment

AHMEDABAD :BEFORE AND AFTER

BRTS
MITIGATION/ADAPTATION
Ahmedabad is reaping benefits in the form of faster and safer commuting, mitigation in impact of air

pollution and creating an overall positive impact on urban development.

The BRT systemhas already shown several mitigation impacts
For example,20 to 22 per cent of the commuters have moved from using their motorcycles to the bus .

SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS

Janmarg has been a catalyst in the rejuvenation of Ahmedabad. The entire network has been planned in

a manner that ensures that almost all destinations are covered. The appeal of the system has reached
previously under-served social groups.
Similarly, the widening of the BRT systemwith new roads and bridges has helped better connect the

city, spurring some development.

A big factor in the success of Janmarg has been the positive role played by citizens. The Ahmedabad

Municipal Council (AMC) held regular press briefings on the planning and designing process, public .

POTENTIAL FOR SCALING-UP AND REPLICATION

The success of the BRT systemhas also led to an overall improvement in the service quality of the

Ahmedabad Municipal Transport Service (AMTS). All old diesel buses with obsolete technology have
been replaced with compressed natural gas buses. AMTS has added more than 900 new buses over the
last four years. The routes for these buses are now being operated as feeder services for Janmarg.
Since its inception, Janmarg has been a source of learning, and has been visited by representatives from

various cities across India and some international cities, which are keen on implementing their own BRT
systems.

JANMARG TODAY
Network Length

87+12(Under Construction) Kms

Number of Stations +Cabins

150

Operational Timings

6:00 AM to 11:00 PM

Peak Hours

8:00 AM 10:45 PM ; 5:00 PM 9:00 PM

Bus operated during Peak

119 (Weekday) , 106 (Sunday/Holiday)

Average Daily Round Trips

710

Average Daily Ridership

1,17,554

Average Daily Collection

10,14,501

Total Schedule Km.

7,78,295

Ave. Daily Schedule Km.

25,106

Total Operational Km.

7,74,110

Ave. Daily Operational Km.

24,971 Km

01

02

01. As the bus arrives at the Platform of the

station. the door of the platform and of the

bus open up, and thereafter close,
simultaneously before the bus leaves. The
buses are fully air-conditioned.
02. Stations are in the median.
03. Ticket issuing clerk is sitting in the middle in
a cage covered by a glass.

BRTS is operational on 18.7

kms. from RTO to
Pushpakunj at Kankaria Lake

Another good feature of

the stations is that they
have provided ramps for
physically challenged
people to use Wheel
chairs.
With walls in the ramp
(pathway), there will be
no spillage of people in the

Ahmedabad BRTS is a bus-based high

quality, high capacity rapid transit system
In a BRT system, the buses travel in
exclusive lanes, thus avoiding congestion.
This is a system of segregated right-of-way
infrastructure, rapid and frequent bus
Operation, easy boarding and alighting
facilities for the passengers and excellence
In marketing and customer service.

Stations are well-lit at

night

When the bus leaves the dedicated

lanes
to cross a junction, red signal stops

TICKET IS MUST

BRTS Ahmedabad

has installed this

machine at the exit
at every station.
Ticket is to be
shownto it while
exiting.
The machine will
catch If the person
who has taken ticket
for a shorter
distance, has
travelled longer.

RECOGNITION
Ahmedabad

BRTS
was
showcased
at
2012 United Nations Climate Change Conferenceas
a
'lighthouse project' as part of theUnited NationsSecretary
GeneralBan Ki-moon's Momentum for Change Initiative.

AWARDS
o National Award for Award for Excellence in the category of

Best IMTS Project 2011 fromGovernment of India

o International Award for Sustainable Transport Award 2010

atWashington DC,USA.
o National Award for Best Mass Transit Rapid System Project -

2009 fromGovernment of India.

o International Award for Outstanding Innovations in Public

Transportation 2010 from UITP,Germany

o National

Award for Best Innovation Project Towards

Improvement in Urban Mobility in the City ofAhmedabad
through New Technological Innovations in Janmarg BRTS
2010 fromGovernment of India.

Conclusion:
Ahmedabad BRTS was 1st successful bus-

based high quality, high capacity rapid

transit system in India.
Its implementation was beneficial in sectors
of traffic & environment as it reduced
congestion to a large extent & pollution
satisfactorily.
It provides quality riding time to
passengers while reducing travel time.
Major reduction in accidents on the corridor
has been observed which attracts more &
more passengers.

References:
Transportation Research and Injury Prevention

Programme
special brts supplement december 2008, IIT Delhi
Angel,s.2011.making room for a planet of
cities.cambridge,massachusetts:lincoln institute of land
policy.
AMC (Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation) (2011)
Janmarg BRT Homepage
http://www.ahmedabadbrts.com/(Last accessed on 21
Mar 2016)
Hossain, M. (2006) The issues and realities of BRT
planning initiatives in developing Asian cities, Journal of
Public Transportation; BRT Special Edition: 9(3): 6987