The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will roll out dedicated city buses in Kochi on the lines of those being operated in Thiruvananthapuram.
They include fast-passenger buses halting only at major stops, thus enabling speedy commuting. Elaborating on its plans, KSRTC Chairman and Managing Director M.G. Rajamanickam said Kochiites had not got optimal utility of Tirukochi city buses launched a decade ago, as many of them had been diverted to depots in the suburbs.
“Our intention is to introduce a dedicated fleet of city service buses in Kochi. They can be operated on routes like Ernakulam-Aroor and Ernakulam-Fort Kochi, where public transport is inadequate. The buses will thus enable feeder trips to such suburban towns from the nearest metro stations [that would come up in Vyttila, Ernakulam South etc.,] as well. Since these buses will be operated from the KSRTC’s main bus station, the traffic police and KMRL must restore the median cutting on MG Road, so that they do not have to take side roads,”
The agency also intends to step up its presence on the Ernakulam-Guruvayur route by operating more services through Container Road.
With more long-distance buses being operated from the Vyttila Mobility Hub (VMH), the KSRTC is drawing up plans to operate shuttle services linking the main station and the hub.
Mr. Rajamanickam expressed concern over private and inter-State luxury bus operators being permitted to open counters at VMH. “This is a blatant violation of Motor Vehicle Rules [by VMH Society], as the hub is primarily meant for stage-carriage buses and not contract-carriage ones that operate services to Bangalore, Chennai, and Kasaragod. We have forwarded a complaint to the Transport Commissioner, citing gross violation of rules and the practice of private-bus crew canvassing passengers awaiting KSRTC buses,” he said. On the lack of clarity on the timings of the KSRTC’s numerous low-floor and superfast services, he said it would be rectified in another six months when all buses would be tracked using GPS. The implementing agency has already been selected, and the corporation is awaiting the State government’s nod, he added.
Scania buses
Mr. Rajamanickam said the KSRTC was all set to usher in affordable luxury services from Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode to Bangalore and Chennai once it got Scania buses on wet lease.
“This will prevent fleecing by private bus operators who charge up to Rs. 3,500 per head during festive seasons on the Thiruvananthapuram – Bangalore route. The KSRTC fare is Rs. 1,300, since we charge only 10% extra during peak season,”
