The Hindu : Front Page : KSRTC moots Venad series buses in city

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Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008
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KSRTC moots Venad series buses in city

Staff Reporter

Plan to divert some buses through bypass

KOCHI: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) plans to introduce 50 to 100 Venad series city-service buses in Kochi.

The corporation also plans to divert some long-distance buses through the Edappally-Vytilla-Aroor bypass, to prevent wastage of time and fuel while traversing through the congested city routes to reach the corporation’s bus stand.

The existing fleet of Venad series buses that operate chain services between Angamaly and Chertala have good passenger patronage, just like the Ananthapuri and Venad series buses operating in Thiruvananthapuram and the Malabar series buses that operate in the northern districts.

Longstanding demand

The executive director (operations) of the corporation, G. Venugopal, said that catering to the longstanding demand of Kochi commuters, these city buses could be taken from the 1,000 new buses that would join the corporation’s fleet in a year.

“These branded buses are better maintained, can seat 55 people, offer enhanced passenger comfort and have two doors. As of now, fast developing areas like the NH bypass do not have adequate public transport and the few existing services are congested.

The new buses can be stationed in either the Ernakulam Boat Jetty bus stand or land owned by the corporation at Thevara.”

Taking into account the good daily collection of the eight newly-introduced KSRTC services in the Thripunithura-Aluva route and the crowding in city buses during peak hours, the Ernakulam district transport officer had submitted a proposal to the corporation’s managing director, demanding at least 50 city service buses in Kochi. Already, 50 Kochi city bus permits have been reserved for the corporation.

Fleet inadequate

The private bus fleet in operation in Kochi has been unable to cater to the increasing demand from commuters who are settled along the eastern side of the Edappally-Aroor stretch of NH 47. Most services continue to ply through routes fixed two or three decades ago. Rash driving by their drivers and the frequent bus strikes accentuated the demand for KSRTC city services.

Lack of availability of land has been cited as the reason for the KSRTC being unable to establish a full-fledged bus station at Vytilla for long-distance buses. The present station master office at Vytilla cannot hold more than a few people.

There is no proper waiting shed, neither is there a toilet for use by passengers.

Despite this, the corporation is making a list of long-distance buses which suffer acute delays after being caught in traffic in the city’s western parts.

The director of National Transportation Planning and Research Centre, T. Elangovan, said that there is an urgent need to augment the public transport system in Kochi.

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