BANGALORE: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) Bus Stand and the adjacent Kempe Gowda Bus Station at Subashnagar for long distance buses are overflowing. Passengers alighting from trains at the city railway station have no easy access to the two bus stations; the subway is of little help and has been vandalised.

The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and the BMTC have planned to re-develop the area into a modern inter-modal transit centre. This will meet the current needs of the bus terminal and integrate the facility with the proposed Metro Rail. The metro central terminus is planned to be located close to the City Railway Station.

The BMTC and KSRTC terminals are separated by a 22-metre road and a pedestrian bridge that has ramps laid out in a semi circular pattern to the BMTC platforms. The bus maintenance depot and parking lots for long distance buses, including those from other States, take up space. The two bus terminals have separate entry and exit points and passenger amenities. The surrounding land is used mainly for commercial except for the railway divisional offices.

KSRTC and BMTC now plan to redevelop the area, taking into account the Metro Rail. Commercial use of the land is kept in mind. The inter-modal transit centre will become a landmark facility catering to multiple users and all stakeholders. Development will be with private sector participation under a long-term Build Operate Transfer concession structure and leveraging the commercial potential of the location.

The transit centre has been planned to the meet future needs of BMTC and KSRTC. The long-term forecasts have been built into the plans. The terminals and other infrastructure will meet the needs of a large number of commuters. Parking lots for those using the bus terminals and the offices and shops to be developed are planned. Additional parking space, perhaps in the form of multi-level lots, is likely with a view to decongest the adjacent areas of Gandhinagar and Subashnagar.

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