Notes: BMRC

Yes, the metro trains generated so much buzz everywhere that I decided I would definitely have a look at it asap.

Apparently, a million other people had the same idea as they came to check it out on Diwali. Bangalore's lack of places-to-go is most apparent as they were hordes of parents herding around their hordes of children on Diwali. The stations were packed!

After standing in a long queue for a really long time, we got these tokens (they are not called tickets)- a small chip that is embedded with information. This is needed to beep in and out (the same entrance funda as in IT parks. Instead of token, they have the ID card) of the entrance to the platforms.
(picture displayed here is the delhi metro token)

On the platforms, the guards had a tough time herding the crowd. The platforms are small and there was a yellow line behind which we should stand (for safety obviously). As expected, people were standing in front of it looking out excitedly for the train. The guards are continuously whistling to make us stand behind the line. It is so amusing to watch people have no regard for any sort of rules for safety. One man was crouched in front of the yellow line with his kid examining the new tracks. He had to be whistled out the way.

The entire exercise on the part of the guards is moot as finally when the train is in view, the crowds surge forward in their eagerness to get in... standing barely inches from the door. Automatic sliding doors will continue to fascinate people no matter what.

The train as such is quite small (length and breadth wise) and has very limited seating capacity. 70% of the people in it must be standing. It is designed that way to accommodate more people. The insides are really well designed, looks very mod. There are LCD displays and announcements in english/hindi/kannada about the next stations. I dread the spit stains that will appear in 2-3 months from now. There is a cleaning crew who do a quick swab at the terminating stations...
With all the kids in the train, there were excited squeals and oohs, aahs... even from the adults!

We got in at Bypanahalli, four stations later, it was MG Road. On that particular day, it would've taken the same amount of time (incl standing in the token counter queue) to reach MG road by road, but probably on other days, it would be much lesser.

The token is returned to the exit slots on our way out of the station. There were queues to exit the station! Somehow some people were confused as to how this works... Insert token, doors open, you exit, doors close. The next person cannot exit together with you. It will take sometime for people to get used to it I suppose.

Apparently, these token things are embedded properly. Two 20-somethings took the joy ride from A to B, didn't go out of the B station, hopped onto the opposite side to take the train back to A, assumed the same tokens would work when exiting A, but they didn't work... the door didn't open. They were cornered by the TT and were paying the fine as we were leaving...

The metro in its current form would greatly benefit people reaching MG road from this side of the city. I looked at their extension plans and it is too good. Reaching mysore road etc within 30 minutes would be a dream! Buses labelled Metro Feeder service have also be pushed into place. I hope it forces people off their private vehicles!

However, given people's inclination to give as less work for their bums as possible, I doubt if this will catch on for those who don't mind the petrol money and traffic (seems to comprise 70% of the people I know.) The metro does not give any seating space either.

Once the entire stretch is ready (GOK if it will take 3 or 5 years) there should be certain trains that go from point to point without stopping at the stations in between as I feel too much time is wasted slowing down and then gathering speed. I request the BMRC to do some intensive analytics based on the tokens sold at each station, the destination station, peak times, stations most frequently used. As everything is electronic, this exercise shouldn't be so tough... Its just simple math! Please do it Silicon city!

I find it strange that it does not come near any of the IT/tech parks!

(All pictures borrowed from other websites.)

And the metro (like all other public transport or just public space for that matter) continue to be disabled and senior unfriendly from the train itself to the stations and platform access.

And yes, I love trains!