BENGALURU: In Bengaluru, unlike most cities where distances are measured in kilometers, commuting is defined by the time it takes. According to the TomTom Traffic Index Report 2024, it takes an average of 34 minutes and 10 seconds to cover just 10 km in the city center, earning Bengaluru the title of the “world’s third slowest” in terms of traffic. However, opinions on this ranking are divided.
While Bengaluru traffic police dismissed the report as “unrealistic,” mobility experts questioned the methodology used. Regular commuters, however, argue that actual travel times often exceed 34 minutes, especially during peak hours.
To investigate, The Times of India (TOI) conducted a field test by traveling on BMTC buses, the backbone of public transport for 40 lakh Bengalureans. The results were revealing: on several routes, covering 10 km took well over 34 minutes, and in some cases, as long as 60 minutes.
Test Drive Results: Commuting on Bengaluru’s Gridlocked Roads
Route 1:
- From: Marathahalli Bridge (Kalamandir Bus Stop)
- To: Central Silk Board
- Distance: 9.6 km
- Time Taken: 55 minutes
- Trouble Points: Marathahalli Multiplex, Agara Junction
One of the busiest stretches on the Outer Ring Road, this route hosts numerous tech companies and software parks. The journey took 55 minutes despite being outside peak hours, with regular commuters stating it could take over 75 minutes during peak times due to metro construction and severe congestion.
Route 2:
- From: Central Silk Board (Madivala Bus Stop)
- To: Electronics City
- Distance: 9.14 km
- Time Taken: 41 minutes
- Trouble Points: Hosa Road Junction, Roopena Agrahara
Despite lighter traffic outside peak hours, bottlenecks at major junctions caused delays, especially at Roopena Agrahara, where buses picking up passengers added to the chaos.
Route 3:
- From: Electronics City
- To: Silk Board (Madivala Bus Stop)
- Distance: 9.2 km
- Time Taken: 19 minutes 49 seconds
During non-peak hours, this stretch was relatively free-flowing. The afternoon timing, when most tech-company buses are yet to hit the roads, contributed to the quicker commute.
Route 4:
- From: Madivala Bus Stop
- To: Mysore Bank Circle
- Distance: 9.4 km
- Time Taken: 54 minutes 14 seconds
- Trouble Points: St. John’s Signal, Lakkasandra Signal, Shanthinagar Bus Stand, Double Road, Richmond Circle
Connecting central Bengaluru, this route sees heavy crowds. Frequent roadside parking and narrow roads were key contributors to the delay.
Route 5:
- From: Majestic (Kempegowda Bus Station)
- To: Richmond Circle Bus Stop
- Distance: 4.4 km
- Time Taken: 19 minutes
- Trouble Points: Maharani’s College Signal
Despite the short distance, a significant delay occurred at Maharani’s College Signal, highlighting how congestion can disproportionately extend commute times even on shorter routes.
Concerns Over TomTom’s Methodology
Experts from IISc’s Sustainable Transportation Lab, led by Prof. Ashish Verma, criticized the TomTom Traffic Index, stating it fails to accurately represent Bengaluru’s traffic conditions due to oversimplified metrics and limited local context.
The Bigger Picture
For millions of Bengalureans, the daily grind of navigating the city’s gridlocks is more than a statistic—it’s a reality. While the debate over traffic rankings continues, the need for effective solutions to ease the burden on commuters has never been clearer.
