Dear Sir / Madam,
It is extremely encouraging to have your responses and constructive dialogue towards positive action. In this same positive spirit, please allow me to continue to point out several other matters of design that you must critically address while you upgrade the BEST infrastructure in future. I would like to remind you that these 'reflections' come about through my expertise in architecture and design.
Over this post, I would like to talk about the BEST bus stops in the city presently. Honestly, I am not aware how the process is facilitated (who builds these bus stops and how are they executed). But I am sure you have a stake in funding them. I understand there must be many economic, technical and technological constraints in realizing them across the city. However as a user, tax-payer and concerned designer, I would like to point out the following:
The BEST bus stops at most suburbs are over-designed. These bus stops can be much simpler and efficient. Right now, they seem to be using more material than required, ergonomically incorrect and extremely dysfunctional. Let me explain what problems users face with the present bus stops. Eventually, I will talk about factors must be ideally considered while you plant a bus stop on any pavement:
a. The Bus stop not only indicates a stop for the bus, but also becomes a temporary shelter for the passenger of the bus on the road. A shelter has to protect the user from externalities like rain, sun, etc, and at the same time, it must organize movement of passengers into the bus.
b. The present bus stops do nothing of the above – they have only become objects to take on as many advertisements onto themselves as possible. Apart from this ‘marketing’ function, bus stops have to respond to two important parameters:
i. Response to Sun: Bus stops must provide shade – most of the times, people have to stand in scorching sun. Sometimes, they move away from the bus stops to go to areas of shade to alongside shops or boundary walls, stand behind the bus stop in its shade to protect themselves from the heat. This is the first failure of the stops, since people refrain from using them the way they are intended to.
ii. Response to Rains: People get wet in rains while standing in the bus stops since there is no adequate overhang that protects them from windy rains. Several times, people stand with open umbrellas under the bus stops since they leak tremendously. This means that the gutters of bus stop roofs are not fixed properly or need maintenance.
In both the above cases, what essentially is the use of providing an overhead roof?
c. The seats of bus stops are very badly designed. There is not enough gap between the backrest (rod) and the seat to place one’s bum comfortably. Moreover, the railing opposite to the seat is too close to allow a person to stretch legs or even allow another passenger to pass through the already formed queue.
d. The signage of every bus stop is illegible. It gets hidden in the depth of the bill board on the top (due to the perspective way humans see) and almost gets neglected because of its size as compared to the bill board.
The above problems occur because of extremely poor understanding of how people interact with urban furniture (street infrastructure). The designer of the above bus stop has not taken into consideration any of the above factors, which are intrinsic to the place of Mumbai – scorching heat and heavy rains. A simple solution would have been to think of permissible projecting roofs that not only shade but also protect against rain (a principle similar to chhajas in buildings). Massive prototyping of same bus stop module may be important for large scale production, but please understand that small alterations in design can make them adaptable to different light (sun) and local conditions of the city. (Sun-paths i.e. direction of sunlight can be studied and designs can be made adaptable). When people stray away from bus stops in search of shade, they have to run towards the bus when it arrives on the stop – often, in this running, people miss the bus, hurt themselves by crowding at the bus entrance. Thus, a small factor creates a huge mess.
Secondly, the bus stops along Bandra-Kurla Complex (the ones near MMRDA work brilliantly, are extremely simple and a great example to follow. They offer good seating, good shade and enough protection against rains. How do they seem to be so well planned?
Lastly, I hope you will locate the design priorities of bus stops in the correct order, as explained above. The issues of shelter and BEST instructions are more important than advertisements and bill boards on the bus stops. With increased ticket fares and almost double the amount of people travelling through BEST buses, it is the responsibility of BEST to cater to important issues first and make itself the best transportation service in the country.
I have more notes to make. However, we can discuss them one at a time. Your active involvement and dialogue will be really helpful.
Looking forward to your response on the above.
P.S.: A photo documentation of the above issues can be generated and compiled. Drawings explaining problems could also be initiated. Attached are images of bus stop designs being referred to.
source of above photo: http://vgshah.
Anuj Daga
Architect, Mumbai.
201, Hill View Society,
Yashodham, Film City Road,
Goregaon (East), Mumbai – 400 063.
On Tue, Jul 10, 2012 at 12:01 PM, Transport <transport@bestundertaking.com
Sir,
This refers to your mail to us.Your suggestion regarding Seats, Windows, Destination boards etc. have buses forwarded to the concerned section for taking necessary action.As regards Bus Drivers/Conductors not giving adequate time to passengers to board the buses, necessary introductions are being given to them.
Yours Faithfully
Traffic Manager
Planning & Control
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