KOCHI: Putting an end to decades-long demand of passengers from Vypeen area, National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac) has identified Kaloor, Vyttila and Edapally as points where private buses from Vypeen should be extended to.
Natpac identified the points based on the outcome of a survey conducted among bus passengers and motorists. The survey was conducted following the request of Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA).
Long distance buses like the ones from Kodungalloor can be extended to Vyttila while short distance ones can be operated till to Kaloor and Edapally-Kalamassery areas. Extension of most of the services will be during peak hours. During the survey, it has been noticed that many bus operators from Vypeen are not in favour of extending the service to city. Currently, the bus service from Vypeen terminates at High Court Junction.
“As many as 78 buses conduct 804 services per day along the Vypeen-High Court on Vypeen stretch, catering to around 22,000 passengers. We identified the three places based on the destination of most of the passengers. Since long-distance buses have long breaks after each service, the service of such buses can be extended to Vyttila. There should not be any conflict in the bus timings with the existing city bus service when the services are extended. Discussions should be held with city bus operators regarding this,” said Natpac principal scientist S Shaheem.
The survey covered 1,221 passengers in 860 private vehicles comprising, two-wheelers, cars and autorickshaws operating from Vypeen area. Around 80% of autorickshaw passengers expressed their willingness to shift to buses if services are extended. While 60% and 62% passengers of cars and two-wheelers respectively wished to shift to buses following the service extension.
The over three-decadelong demand for extension of bus service from Vypeen to city limit had hit many obstacles, including the objection from city bus operators. The other major problem is that Shanmugham Road and Banerjee Road are nationalized routes where moffusil bus service cannot be operated. Besides, moffusil buses cannot be converted into city buses also.
The study report, which will be submitted to the UMTA, will recommend amendment in the rules to facilitate extension of moffusil buses from Vypeen to the city.
