Viraj Mehta
Even as the state government is yet to decide who will implement the Mumbai Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) - the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority wants the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation to take over the project —the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) is ready to put its own BRTS on track.
The Thane BRTS would be implemented on a 14-km stretch along the Eastern Express Highway, from Anand Nagar toll naka to Owala on Ghodbunder Road, Thane Municipal Commissioner R A Rajeev said.
Barricades would demarcate lanes on both sides. “Learning from the experience of Mumbai, we would have better, stronger barricades to withstand rash driving and speeding vehicles. We would not spend much as we just have to demarcate separate lanes and spend only on bus stops,” said K D Lala, city engineer, TMC. The highway divides Thane into the old city areas on one side and newly developed areas on the other.
For the BRTS, the TMC would reschedule Thane Municipal Transport (TMT) buses to ensure services every 2-3 minutes on the highway. “From there, we would have feeder services. We are not looking at increasing fleet right now, but would do it whenever the need arises,” said Shrikant Sirmukadam, General Manager, TMT.
“People can come to the highway through feeder service and use the BRTS to reach the station. Commuters will have to change their travel pattern,” said a TMC official. “A single ticket is also being worked out,” said a TMC official.
Sources in the traffic police said it would be tough to implement the BRTS on the Ghodbunder Road as flyovers and a service road are being constructed, reducing the lanes and creating jams during peak hours.
Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/with-brts-thane-ready-to-go-one-up-on-mumbai/703155/2