City commuters demand more KSRTC services

KOCHI: The Thiru-Kochi, low-floor and the Volvo services that were started with much fanfare in the city by the KSRTC have started losing their charm, though talks on the launching of night services have resurfaced.The initial euphoria of the KSRTC city services dampened much earlier than feared, as most of the commuters have again been thrown to the mercy of other modes of conveyance. Most of these disappointed commuters are from Fort Kochi, Mattanchery, Kannamaly, Mundamvely, Edakochi, Perumpadapppu, Kumbalangi and Pampayimoola.In these areas, bus services during peak hours and evenings, especially between 7 pm and 9.30 pm, are inadequate. According to the existing schedule, most of these services end their trips before 10 pm at the Ernakulam KSRTC main depot. “Why have the KSRTC authorities not extended the services of these buses to Thoppumpady?” asks Baluswamy, a commuter from Mattanchery, who is working in a private financial services firm in Kaloor. If the frequency of bus services is increased, commuters would have a easy time reaching their destination. Over 10 private buses ply via Kaloor to Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Perumpadappu, Edakochi, Chellanam and Thoppumpady between 7 and 8 pm. Usually these buses are packed to their capacity when they reach Kaloor itself.But due to scarcity of buses, commuters are forced to board these overloaded vehicles.Though several months have passed since the launching of the KSRTC services, most of them fail to maintain a fixed time-schedule. Mark Peter, a commuter from Fort Kochi, said the journey had become too arduous now.“Private buses are far ahead as far as punctuality is concerned, though sometimes they also run late owing to traffic bottlenecks at several busy junctions on their route and the bad condition of roads. The main reason for their near-punctuality may be the time-punching stations. As in the case of private buses, a proper monitoring mechanism is the need of the hour for the KSRTC services also in the city,” said Kesavan, a regular commuter.The KSRTC should operate more schedules during busy hours. This is the only solution to the problems being faced by the commuters,he said. Nasser, a regular commuter between Kaloor and Panayappally near Mattanchery, demanded that the KSRTC should run its services when the passengers need them most.When asked about this issue, Kochi MLA Dominic Presentation said, “Fifty-eight non-AC buses and 8 AC buses will be introduced by the end of this month to resolve the plight of West Kochi commuters.”