Metro rail plan should integrate other transport modes: DMRC
Delhi Metro Rail Corporation, in the detailed project report for Pune metro rail, stated that other transport modes need to be integrated with the project in such a manner that each mode supplements the other.
The DPR also states that, to ensure quick and convenient transfers, integration facilities are to be provided, as various modes of transport like transport buses, auto-rickshaws, taxis, and personal vehicles are used by metro rail commuters to reach the stations.
Concept of Traffic Integration
The objective of an integrated transport system and traffic movement is to offer maximum advantage to commuters and society from traffic and planning consideration.
The following steps have been proposed in the DPR of Pune Metro Rail, to ensure that entire MRTS functions as an integrated network and provides efficient service to the commuters.
1. Appropriate linkages are proposed so that various corridors of MRTS would be integrated within themselves, with existing rail services and with road based modes.
2.Facilities needed at various stations would be planned in accordance to the type of linkages there.
The traffic and transport integration facilities would be available for two different types of linkages:
a)Feeder links : These would provide integration between various MRTS corridors and road based transport modes.
b)Walk links : These would provide access to the pedestrians.
If suitable land is not available at a particular station, effort would (be) taken to provide equivalent space on the adjacent stations, so that park and ride commuters can shift to whichever station, such a facility is available.
Approach Adopted in Planning Traffic Integration Facilities
The Union Ministry of Urban Development has observed that integration facilities like feeder transport services such as buses, bike sharing and provision for pedestrian facilities, are often overlooked during drafting of metro rail project plans. The same was informed to the advisory issued last month, so that Pune Metro DPR does not miss out the details.
The ministry informed that the provisions for these facilities should be included in the detailed project report as it should not suffer want of funds. The ministry also said that the project report should be revised, if necessary, to include the provisions of the feeder system. Absence of the feeder buses, public bike sharing and pedestrian facilities would adversely affect the overall ridership of the metro project.
The transport wing of the ministry has informed that the feeder buses should cover metro stations that lie outside the municipal limits. The municipal corporation or the planning authority is expected to prepare the land use plans accordingly and notify such zones as local planning areas.
Pune Municipal Corporation’s officer on special duty for metro rail project informed that the revised report on the traffic integration plan for the metro will be submitted to the union urban development ministry. A separate approval for the same would not be required as the cost of the feeder bus projects would be included in the report.
