Bus terminus design
Architectural Design Studio
Semester 7
Design of a 140-bay bus terminus in North Bangalore
Aug - Dec 2017
Zoning masterplan
The land parcel was a 24-acre mixed use site, with 10 acres zoned for the bus terminus. The terminus was to act as a “Gateway to the city of Bangalore”. It was also connected to a proposed metro station on the Kempegowda International Airport metro line, through a metro plaza. The design process involved case studies for bus terminus design, collaborative mixed-use site zoning, and an individual bus terminus design to solve the problem of complex circulation.
Collaborators for zoning masterplan: Pratham V, Nayana S, Sushmi D, Reenu S.
Zoning development (collaborative work)
Zoning ideation
Bus terminus design
The design is centred around circulation of pedestrians, taxis / cars / autos, state and city buses.
Separation of pedestrian and vehicular circulation, minimising intersections and increasing safety, is a key consideration. The terminus building is an exclusively pedestrian space, with vehicular access on the periphery.
The design problem of bus terminus function flow is solved using a two-level loop, with the sequence: Entry > alighting > idle bays > boarding > exit. Each type of bus (interstate / intra-city / intra-state) has a different flow to avoid passenger confusion, especially during rush hours. Platforms (rather than bays) allow for quicker movement of KIAL and BMTC buses.
The length of site has been utilised in the design of bus circulation, and bus service areas are located on the rear side of the site to ensure least interference with circulation. Vehicular lanes are separated from bus lanes, starting from the entry into the site.
The ground floor is for city buses (BMTC / KIAL). It also includes the main pedestrian entry into the terminus, offices, escalators to the first floor, a pedestrian subway connection to the metro plaza, bus service (NE corner) and entry to a basement car parking.
The first floor is for state buses (KSRTC and APSRTC). Given the longer wait times, this floor has passenger amenities like a restaurant, kiosks and lounges. It also houses staff amenities (cafeteria, dorms, lockers), state bus offices, ramps for buses down to the depot and service areas and an exit ramp for buses.
Bus terminus circulation
STATE BUSES (KSRTC and APSRTC)
CITY BUSES (BMTC and KIAL)
PEDESTRIANS (PASSENGERS)
PRIVATE CARS & 2-WHEELERS
TAXIS AND AUTORICKSHAWS
View of terminus from the southwest
Entry ramp for state buses
Upper level: State bus bays (L), idle parking (R); Lower level: City bus bays (L), depot and service (R)
View of terminus building from the front (west)
View from north showing upper level (state bus bays) and lower level (city bus platforms)
Bus ramp to ground floor depot
BMTC / KIAL boarding platforms
Boarding bays (first floor)
Boarding bays (ground floor) with seating and kiosks
Terminus ground floor with elevators to first floor
Terminus ground floor
View of restaurant (first floor) and terminus front with taxi / car / auto pickup and drop off zones
Autorickshaw pickup and drop off zone