Ahmedabad Nearing Closer to BRT Launch

Posted: 17 Dec 2008

Related to: Ahmedabad BRT, Developing High-Quality, Low-Cost Mass Transit, India
Contributed by: Shreya Gadepalli

Jan Marg, Ahmedabad’s bus rapid transit (BRT) system, is scheduled to start commercial operations in the summer of 2009.  It will be the first integrated system developed in India with segregated corridors supported by feeder services and integrated with the existing public transport system. A lot is expected from this launch after the unimpressive debut of ‘limited bus-way systems’ in Delhi and Pune that came under much media criticism.

The initial launch of the system will have 50 buses providing service along a 38 kilometer network of segregated busways with 58 median-aligned stations.  It will use electronic ticketing and give high quality passenger service. Curb side features such as tree shaded pedestrian paths, cycling tracks and multi-utility urban spaces complete the street infrastructure.

Contract for operations of 50 high quality buses was awarded in September 2008 based on a competitive bid for the lowest cost per operated kilometer. A bus depot is under construction in the south of the city from where the bus operator shall manage fleet maintenance.

Automated fare collection and financial management as well as intelligent fleet management systems are to be established before commencement of commercial operations. Contract for these IT systems is to be awarded in December 2008, based on a competitive bid.

After the full implementation of a city wide system, which shall take another two and a half years, operations on 90km of segregated corridor network shall require 200 trunk buses. Along with 90 feeder buses, the system is expected to serve around half a million passengers.