Bengaluru: You could soon book last-mile ride via Namma Metro app

BENGALURU: You may soon be able to book taxis and autorickshaws through Namma Metro app for last-mile connectivity.

Speaking at the Bengaluru Tech Summit at a session named ‘future of mobility’ on Friday, Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Limited (BMRCL) managing director Anjum Parwez said they are now working with various city startups to integrate transport services with Namma Metro’s mobile app.

“If a passenger travels from Majestic to Kengeri bus terminal by Metro, an auto or taxi will be waiting for him/her for the last-mile connectivity once it is booked through the app. This will attract more passengers to switch to public transport,” he said.

Prawez said they will soon come up with the National Common Mobility Card (NCMC)) to link different modes of transport. “For instance, a passenger travelling 5km by bus and another 10km by Metro is now buying two different tickets. We are planning to come up with a combined ticket so that s/he can pay for the entire 15 km journey in one ticket.”

He said QR-code ticketing introduced by BMRCL is a hit with more than 10,000 tickets generated through Namma Metro app/WhatsApp within one week of its launch.

Namma Metro alone can’t solve traffic

Stating that Namma Metro alone cannot solve the city’s traffic problems, he said: “Namma Metro is a linear project which is running only through wider roads or areas that have space because land acquisition is expensive. Apart from constructing the Metro, we are also looking to improve multi-modal integration,” said Parwez.

He also stressed seamless integration of multiple modes, including buses and autorickshaws among others. “At present, public transport usage in Bengaluru is around 46-48%. The biggest challenge is to increase the public transport share by bringing car and bike owners towards public transport.”

He said walkable streets, non-motorised transport, bike taxis and car pooling are key factors for multi-model integration. “In Karnataka, car sharing/pooling is still illegal, but it is common in foreign cities. Bike taxi policy is framed, but they are yet to hit the streets,” he added.

“In Phase 1 stations, bus bays were not provided due to the cost factor. But buses will come right up to the entrance of all future stations. In Whitefield, some RWAs have also expressed interest to operate feeder buses from their apartment complexes to Metro stations,” Parwez said.

175km Metro by 2025

He said 56km Metro network is now operational and it will be expanded to 175km by June 2025 and 314km by 2031.

Parwez said mobility is part of urban planning and it should not be seen in isolation. “Airport Metro work is progressing fast between Hebbal and Kempegowda International Airport because a 5 metre land strip was earmarked for Metro when the expressway was planned by NHAI. The masterplan of the city should envisage future development plans and requirements.”

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