Ahmedabad gives BRTS a thumbs up

The citizens of Ahmedabad already seem to have fallen in love with the buses of the new Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS), each with capacity to seat 35 passengers and space for 50 to stand, comfortable seating and organised accessories.

“It feels like travelling in a bus in foreign country. I really like the BRTS buses,” said Naina Trivedi, a commuter. Homemakers, schoolchildren and senior citizens who boarded the BRTS buses were keen on discussing their merits and demerits, and had lots to say.

“The BRTS combines the performance and accessories of the modern rail-based transit system with the flexibility and budgeting of road transit,” said another commuter, Krutika Tundia.

The commuters were impressed with the segregated bus lanes; prepaid automated ticketing system; safe, secure and accessible stations; level platform boarding and quality service.

“I liked the experience of travelling on the BRTS buses. The area inside the buses has been systematically arranged. The buses are very spacious, with excellent seating arrangements, and no sign of dirt and dust,” said a commuter, Ranjan Bhaskar Popat.

The BRTS, with the number of halts along the 12.5-km stretch and the frequency of buses, one every three minutes, forms a swift medium of transport. “I own a two-wheeler but have been travelling on the BRTS buses regularly as I have become fond of it,” said Harshal Patel, another commuter.