Kochi Metro. OnmanoramaKakkanad: Private buses are reportedly playing spoilsport in making the Kochi Metro a seamless multi-modal, mass rapid transit facility.
Buses, citing lack of patronage, had been wantonly canceling trips to certain destinations, leaving hundreds of commuters who arrive by the Kochi Metro in the lurch.
The regional transport office had been getting complaints that 'connection services' were unavailable at night, making onward journey to city and suburban destinations impossible.
Regional transport officer (RTO) M. Suresh said the department would deploy enforcement squads and special teams to ensure that the buses operated services as per permit conditions. He said the government had directed strict action against buses abandoning services on their own and inconveniencing commuters. The police would also join the department in its field campaign.
Buses staying away would impede the Kochi Metro's long-term goal of taking away the 'traffic load' on Kochi roads. Commuters would ultimately start using own vehicles if connection services were difficult to come by. Hence, the government and the metro authorities had promised connection services from all metro stations.
KSRTC sources said they were operating as many services as possible. But complaints cropped up on the very first day the metro started service. Most private buses kept off the roads after 8:30 pm, prompting the RTO to act.
Suresh said it was not unusual for private buses in the city to cancel services citing poor patronage on certain routes. This cannot be allowed, especially since the Kochi Metro was operational, he said.
Officials would ensure that buses picked up passengers at all metro stations from Aluva to Palarivattom. They said bus owners had agreed to this at a meeting. No new buses had been given permit linked to metro rail. This was to ensure that the existing buses operated as per schedule, officials said.
