About a month ago, I was waiting at the bus stop opposite Cubbon Park to catch a bus home to JP Nagar. Since the frequency of buses to JP Nagar is low, I waited for a bus to Jayanagar from where I could change over.

I avoided the 13 series buses that were terribly crowded. Within minutes came an empty bus with the board T4 (Nagavara to Jagajeevanram Nagar via Corporation). Seeing the name Corporation, I boarded the bus.

I alighted in front of the BBMP office and walked down to Mission Road stop, where within minutes the ever frequent Route 2 bus came to take me to JP Nagar. My total fare would be Rs 16 (Rs 4 + Rs 12) as compared to the Rs 21 (Rs 12 + Rs 9) I would have spent going via Jayanagar.

On the bus I thought that Townhall could also be a perfect change over point apart from the three major bus stands, especially with KR Market bus stand nearby. Many buses from KR Market towards North and East Bangalore go via Townhall.

Buses from Majestic to South Bangalore areas like JP Nagar, Jayanagar, BTM, Banashankari, KR Road, Basavanagudi and Hanumanthanagar also pass through this bus stop. So do buses from Tumkur Road, Airport Road, HAL road, Old madras Road, Banaswadi, RT Nagar and Hennur, that go towards KR Market.

While return all these buses go through the Townhall bus stop (Jayanagar, JP Nagar buses turn onto Mission road while going to Jayanagar owing to one-way on JC Road, and go via Townhall while returning to Majestic).

Apart from these, the recently introduced Big10 and Metro Feeder services also aid connectivity. G-5 starts from Corporation to connect Banashankari and Kanakapura Road. G-6 from Shantinagar and MF-10(Metro Feeder) services connect to Mysore Road Satellite bus stand (G-6 runs till Kengeri, connecting Mysore Road in the process). With so many buses inter-connecting many routes at frequent intervals, Corporation stop does become a major hub.

The advantage of changing over a bus at this stop as opposed to a bus stand, is that it saves the time needed to enter the stand, cross platforms, board, wait for bus to start and to exit the bus stand later. The time taken to enter Majestic in peak hours is quite long with buses rushing in from all sides. However a disadvantage is that seat is not guaranteed, unlike in bus stands.

Hence, BMTC has indirectly created a connecting point and that makes ends meet. However introducing a proper bus bay at the Townhall junction can help more persons use it effectively.

PS: 1. Buses towards Hebbal from KR market go via Majestic bus stand (entering and exiting) and hence it is not advisable to change buses at Townhall towards Hebbal. However on return they run via Anand Rao Circle and can be used.

2. Towards Old madras Road and HAL road, Corporation is a better interchange point because, despite having to walk a bit, buses from both Majestic and KR Market stop near Hudson Circle junction

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Siddharth S is a student of commerce and resident of JP Nagar.

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