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NO mini deal
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Will the mini buses, commonly called `pints,' provide a solution to the problems of public transport? SUNIL NALIYATH talks to city commuters.
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A RECENT announcement by the State Human Rights Commission, to probe into the frequent bus accidents in the city, has propelled the city administration to introduce a set of corrective measures and improve the public transport system.
According to a rough estimate more than 400 buses reach the city everyday from far away places, in addition to approximately 1,200 buses that already ply on the city roads. To abide by the recent High Court order, more than 100 buses that are 15 years and more were taken off the road. And today, a majority of the newly introduced buses are small sized, unlike the conventional big sized ones. These mini buses, which are a newfound trend, are fast making inroads into the lives of Kochiites.
Most of the owners of the buses that were taken off the road, after having completed 15 years of service, have opted for mini buses. From the already existing city buses, something in the region of 400 buses are more than 15 years old. With more and more old buses going off the road, their replacement comes in the form of small buses. In fact, in the recent past, Kochi has experienced a substantial proliferation in the number of mini buses on her roads. The reasons for this newly found passion is manifold.
The mini buses have almost 25 per cent less number of seats than the conventional buses with 38 seats. Even the quarterly road tax for the mini buses is much less than the one imposed on big buses, something close to Rs. 25,000. This is an important factor for more and more mini buses hitting the roads of the city.
There are other reasons too. With some bridges in the city and suburbs imposing a toll, as per the BOT agreement, private bus operators are seriously affected. ( Eg. Mattancherry Bridge toll issue). The high toll eats into the profits of the bus operators. In such a case, the mini buses are levied lesser toll in comparison to their bigger counterparts. The other advantages of running mini buses are that, they are easier to maintain, and consume less fuel. The total cost of a new mini bus is much less when compared to a regular big bus. All these factors make them an attractive option for entrepreneurs.
According to a rough estimate almost 300 mini buses are already plying in the city alone. But Joy Joseph who heads one of the workers' union, feels that with the introduction of mini buses the Government is losing out on revenue. Hydroskutty, leader of yet another prominent workers' union is of the opinion that mini buses occupy lesser road space, which is a good thing in a city like Kochi.
"I have opted for a mini bus out of compulsion," says a bus owner whose old bus was withdrawn and a mini bus introduced, instead. The factors that prompted him and many others to go for such a change are the escalating fuel prices and other recurring running costs like salaries and maintenance.
Though owners are happy to introduce mini buses for obvious reasons, passengers are not all that pleased. As a matter of fact, the shrunken interior of these buses is suffocating and makes travelling a gruelling experience. Rush hours are a nightmare with passengers being stuffed in like sardines. Suraj, a regular bus passenger along the Aluva-Ernakulam route, expresses his agony of travelling in mini buses. "These vehicles may apparently have a romantic look, but regular travel in such buses can be really frustrating" he complains. Apparently it may appear that mini buses can be a solace to the already cluttered city roads. But too many of these small sized buses can only add to the perils of the city traffic.
Kolkata, the metro city, quite infamous for its traffic jams, maintains an altogether separate traffic wing for mini buses. Interestingly, a Japanese team that studied the city's traffic ailments had strongly suggested withdrawing them off the road.
With the High Court verdict standing good and the Motor Vehicles Department promptly implementing the order, more and more small sized buses are likely to hit the roads of Kochi. While the owners of old buses are left with literally no option but to go for new buses, those who are venturing into the business of public transport are more than willing to opt for mini buses for more reasons than one. With the equation of the public transport set for a drastic transition, the city of Kochi seems to be experiencing a deluge of mini buses on her roads.
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