Kochi to soon get its first KSRTC double-decker bus: Routes, timings, capacity

Kochi dons an enchanting aura during the night, luring people to enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the city. Now, the natives of Kochi and the tourists can explore the vibrant city on a double-decker KSRTC bus. The double-decker bus, an icon of Thiruvananthapuram, will take on the busy roads of Kochi during the Christmas season. KSRTC brought the double-decker bus operating the heritage tour service in Thalassery to Kochi. Passengers could soon enjoy a ride in the city in this open-top double-decker KSRTC bus. The authorities hope that the double-decker bus could impress the tourists and city dwellers. Meanwhile, KSRTC has already begun trial runs to finalise the routes.

Recommended routes, timings
The route from MG Road to Fort Kochi was KSRTC’s primary choice; however, the double-decker bus struggled to move on this road, which was too narrow. Besides, the long tree branches, cables, and the high rises on the roadsides also posed challenges. The corporation decided to change the route as they realised that it was impractical to operate the service here. Meanwhile, the other recommended route is from the High Court to the KSRTC bus stand in Thoppumpady via the Container Road, Cheranallur Junction, Edappally and Kundannur.

The bus operating from 5 pm to 8 pm will cover almost 39 kilometres. The lower deck of the bus can accommodate up to 40 passengers, while 30 persons can sit on the upper deck. The windows and the seats in the bus have been arranged to let the passengers enjoy the beautiful views of the city. The double-decker bus that passes through all the major locations in the city boasts a high-quality audio system, too. The passengers could listen to the recorded commentary about the places and their unique features during the trip.

The KSRTC plans to schedule one more service at night if the double-decker tour service gains popularity. They might, however, scrap the proposed service if it runs empty. Meanwhile, the corporation plans to launch more double-decker services if the Kochi service succeeds. The ticket rates will likely be Rs 200 per head for the upper deck and Rs 100 for the lower deck. The KSRTC hopes people will enjoy the double-decker rides during the Christmas – New Year holiday season. Currently, the double-decker city tour is available only in Thiruvananthapuram. Meanwhile, the only double-decker passenger service in the state runs on the Thoppumpady – Angamaly route.