Janmarg - A BRTS marvel

Janmarg


On January 12, 2010 was held the prestigious Award for Sustainable Transportation by The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy (ITDP). The entry to make it through was, the only Asian nomination, Janmarg the BRT System from Ahemdabad!

This is the first complete BRTS in India and the entire South of Asia. For such a mechanism to be recognized at an international level, amongst 4 other nominee means a high level of proficiency and city management. The system includes - electronic fare collection, central control, level boarding, pre-pay stations and segregated lanes.

India houses 18% of the world's population thus this development is a marvelous example to curb air pollution through transportation and provides a great deal of encouragement.

I happened to read an article about the nomination of the BRTS in The Khaleej Times dated January 1, 2010 and its been a matter of content to learn of the result.



















Janmarg Route


Links to the 2 photos - http://www.itdp.org/images/ebulletin/janmarg3_large.jpg and http://ahmedabadbrts.com/About_JanMarg.html

Hong Kong Public Transportation

These are a few pictures, of the various modes of public transportation found in Hong Kong. The idea behind showing someone these pictures is plainly behind the fact that the citizens of Hong Kong are very proud of their public transportation system.

I travelled by all of these modes of conveyance and was very pleased by the way in which they operate. The roads and highways are very broad and smooth, the vehicles as a result cruise at an average of around 80 kms/hr and waterways, trams and buses feel very clean and are truly an experience. Most important, there is a very positive civic sense and responsibility towards public infrastructure.

Though, as per local yardsticks of evaluation here is what the local supercar honcho Benjamin Lam, chairman of the Porsche Club Honk Kong had to say, “the traffic is not very good in Hong Kong." Further mentioning, “You've got traffic jams everywhere, even at 3:00 am. And the public transportation is very good, so you don't even really need a car.”

I read this in the daily local, South China Morning Post, dated January 2, 2010.















Roadways














Tram and Bus


















Taxi














Local Ferry

Link to the picture - http://vincentvanderveken.com/wp-content/photos/HongKong2/5-star-ferry.JPG




Local Train

Happy New Year 2010

I spent my New Year's in Hong Kong with family. Hong Kong is a beautiful country (and part of China). Here on, a few of my postings are going to be on Asian consciousness on green transportation.