Vyttila Mobility Hub | Public Transit Development

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by bijuarr

Actually from July 20 Kottayam bound buses start and end its services at hub or its a passing through stop from current Kaloor bus stand?

Once again the Vytilla Bus Terminal project misses its delay.

The original plan was to complete Phase One by July 20th. However the heavy rains crippled some of the final works of project, especially the approach roads. In addition the construction of comfort station, shopping blocks have also been hit due to rains. 3 stops for buses from Muvattupuzha, Alleppey and Kaniyampuzha are required outside the hub, which also not yet started.

In wake of missing deadlines, PWD minister IbrahimKunjnu and K.V Thomas called for a high level meeting tomorrow to chart out alternate plans

[dpkanu]

As the city is getting choked with traffic by the day, plans are afoot to halt buses plying on a few long distance routes at the Vyttila Mobility Hub.


The Vyttila Mobility Hub Society (VMHS) is in the process of finalising the modalities of bringing in private buses too into the hub within a fortnight. The proposal got the much-needed thrust at the coordination meeting of the Regional Transport Officer, District Transport Officer, Kochi City Police and the consultants for the mobility hub project, KITCO, held on Tuesday.

The mobility hub — which presently accommodates only KSRTC buses coming via the Muvattupuzha-Tripunithura route — will soon see private buses coming via the Kottayam- Vaikom-Tripunithura route stopping by, initially on an experimental basis.

VMHS managing director M Beena told ‘City Express’, “The plans to bay private buses coming via the Kottayam route will be implemented on an experimental basis. If successful, we plan to go ahead with the decision to bay private buses coming from other routes too.”

But wouldn’t such a decision create more congestion at the already choked Vytilla Junction?

Beena said it was a step towards realising the aim of decongesting the city of long distance buses. “We are implementing the decisions step by step. Even though we may confront teething troubles as the move would increase the flow of traffic, it would be helpful in the long run,” she said.

The Kaniyanpuzha Road leading to the entrance of the mobility hub is currently being used by the KSRTC buses.

“The private buses will also be using this route,” said Beena. Once the roads are widened, the traffic will ease, she said. But the widening work of the roads in the region seems to be at a standstill. PWD executive engineer T I Jose said, “The widening work of the Vytilla-Petta road which has been sanctioned is presently at a standstill. If we have to widen the road, the electrical sub-station on the other side of the road will have to be relocated. But the sub-station authorities are against it as it would require `100 crore to shift their base. The local shop owners are also against it. Bringing more buses into the picture would only create more traffic problems.”

[Malayaali]

Get ready for traffic jams at hub

The Vytilla mobility hub

Commuters should be prepared for a harrowing time at the busy Vytilla Junction from August 17, when private buses passing through the vital area along the NH bypass, will have to stop at the mobility hub.

At a meeting attended by senior officials on Thursday, it was decided that around 700 bus services will operate out of the largest bus terminal in the State.

However, locals and officials are concerned whether the move will defeat the very purpose of the hub, the first phase of which became operational recently, and further compound traffic woes at the busy junction.

Often during peak hours, a serpentine queue of vehicles from the Tripunithura side extends up to the main entrance of the mobility hub.

So without a flyover and the completion of a proposed bridge across ‘Kaniyampuzha’ towards Champakara, the whole area will be congested, say local residents.

The Vytilla mobility hub managing director, Dr M. Beena, agreed that the concern was genuine. “That may be a problem at the Tripunithura entrance. An overbridge is necessary to serve the purpose of the hub. Anyway we have done this on an experimental basis,” she said.

From August 17, 600 private bus services going towards Tripunithura will enter the hub. Besides KSRTC buses, those operating the city circular services and those proceeding to Muvathupuzha and Tripunithura will also have a stop at the hub.

Anticipating the traffic woes, hub authorities have already requested the city police commissioner to deploy traffic personnel at the entrance.

“The whole problem can be solved if a flyover comes up at the Vytilla Junction, then the Mobility Hub too will run smoothly.,” Dr Beena added.

DC Kochi

[Malayaali]

cc: Manorama

[mohammedirshad06]

A day after circular buses began to ply via the Vyttila mobility hub, the authorities concerned are of the opinion that traffic congestion in the city will ease.

The results are already visible in Vyttila Junction, where the traffic blocks have reduced, since buses are stopping at the hub and not the junction.
But the trouble with the new system is that passengers from Vyttila have to walk all the way to the hub from the junction in order to catch a bus, since the bus shelters near the mobility hub have been removed.

Bus drivers of city buses complain that going to the hub affects their time schedule, since it takes at least 10 minutes to go around the Thammanam road underpass. “The extra time taken to reach the hub, especially when there is a traffic block, affects our timing at all the other bus stops. There is also a slight decrease in the number of passengers,” said Babu, a bus conductor.

Some passengers who were not aware of the change were distressed.
“This set-up has caused the buses to go on a round-about route that is creating problems for both passengers and bus operators. Since I was not aware of the change in the bus routes, I lost more than an hour waiting for a bus,” complained Shimi, a passenger.

Moreover, the facilities promised at the hub will take a few more months to start functioning.

As of now, the hub provides passengers with shelter from rain and the sun; but lacks proper toilet facilities and an information centre.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/mixed-rea...79-60-122.html

[DileepKS]

The delay argument is bogus. They used to spend more time stuck in traffic before the jn

[mohammedirshad06]

Green Belt Kochi, Rotary Club and VMH Society decided to create a green belt in Vytilla Mobility Hub. A selection of flowering and herbal trees will be planted in the terminal as for environmental commitment.

[mohammedirshad06]

Today is going to be D-DAY for Vytilla Mobility Hub

The funding source of 2nd phase will be known today, after the principal funder- Union Bank of India, called for a board meeting to discuss about potentiality of future of the terminal, for funding.

The second phase aims to construct a 5 lakh sqft Travel n Transit terminal along with a shopping Mall as well as additional bus bays, parking terminal and refuelling facilities.

The total cost of 2nd phase is expected to be at Rs 370 crore, out of which, Rs 100 crore is expected to be Government's investment. The remaining Rs 270 crore has to be funded by consortium of banks, with UBI taking the lead.

The first phase saw more than 300 buses plying on daily basis. The VMH is planned to be main focal hub after demolition of North Overbridge, for rerouting all city services.

The first phase was completed with investment of 40 crore, contributed by GCDA and GIDA. Already 7 companies are pre-qualified for the second phase works.

Once Union bank makes its green signal, within 3 months, tender process can be completed and the works can be commenced before Dec.

The Vytilla Mobility is planned in 3 phases. The third phase marks the completion of the plan, which aims to make the project commercially viable, by construction 2 commercial/office towers of around 5 lakh sqft and making the terminal multi-modal terminal, with ferry station, metro connectivity, rail connectivity, increased bus bay services, inter-state/inter-city services terminal, taxi station and public parking bay.

[mohammedirshad06]

Its understood that Union Bank of India decided to fund the Rs 270 Crore worth of Phase-2 of Vytilla Mobility Hub. The official intimation will reach today and will be made public by tomorrow.

The directorial board which meet last day in Mumbai, has learnt to give positive signal. The funding would be done by a consortium of banks lead by UBI, on mortgage of 25 acres of land in which VMH will function.

The 370 crore phase-2 (100 crore will be funded by Government), aims to create additional 5 lakh sqft which includes a Travel N Transit Bus station, 2 underground parking station for bus, 1 floor for private parking, a shopping mall cum commercial space, all expected to earn more revenues for VMH to repay the loans.

[mohammedirshad06]

2 more bus bays will be commissioned soon. The works of comfort station has been completed and opened soon. Special staff will be appointed to keep the premises neat and clean

[Malayaali]

Vytilla mobility hub to get 100cr

If the Union Bank of India provides a loan of Rs 100 crore, then Vytilla mobility hub will soon start the second phase of construction. The bank's decision is also expected to have an impact on other banks, which have come forward to provide financial assistance to the hub.

"We will get the information from the Union Bank on Monday. Depending on the terms and conditions put forward by them, other banks which are part of the consortium of banks formed to raise funds for the hub too will take up the matter with their respective boards," said Vytilla mobility hub managing director Dr M Beena.

She said that Union Bank would lead the consortium of banks. The bank would also decide on interest rates of the loan for Rs 100 crore. After understanding the bank's decision, the executive committee of governing body of the hub would be convened to give approval for the same, before submitting the proposal to the state government.

"We plan to use the money earned by leasing out the commercial spaces, to pay back the loan amount,'' said Beena, who added that it would at least take a month to get clearance from the government.

It is reported that the consortium of banks plans to raise Rs 270 crore. The amount will be utilized for the second phase of construction, which involves construction of five lakh square feet of commercial space and main bus terminal.

Apart from these, widening of entry and exit points will be done. "At present it is a single lane, we are planning for a six-lane entry and exit. Though we don't have plans to raise funds for the construction of boat jetties, we will try to build jetties from the savings,'' said Beena.

She also said that the Vytilla Mobility Society's governing body would soon be reconstituted. "The government has already initiated the process. But the delay in reconstitution will not be a hindrance for making any crucial decisions," she said.

TOI

[georgescifo]

the mobility hub might surely be going to reduce the traffic woes inside the city...

[DileepKS]

Buses coming from within 30km of the city will be permitted to go upto Kaloor stand, instead of terminating at the mobility hub.

[bijuarr]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

2 more bus bays will be commissioned soon. The works of comfort station has been completed and opened soon. Special staff will be appointed to keep the premises neat and clean

Any confirmation about Sept 5?

[DileepKS]

Saw a news that says it will be postponed after Onam.

[NeeRaj_Chand]

VMH at nite
Lighting was really Awsome.Sorry for low quality pics..

[manukarukail]

Originally Posted by NeeRaj_Chand

VMH at nite
Lighting was really Awsome.Sorry for low quality pics..

Awesome!!! thanks Neeraj for the pics

[Aslesh]

Why does it differ from what is shown in their website?

[NeeRaj_Chand]

Thanks manu..But the problem with VMH is that, after 8pm, no private bus enters there...it s deserted at that time...another problem is the distance frm the junction...now two unauthorised bus stops are created, one at the entry road of kaniyampuzha and another near the temple..people hesitate to to enter the terminal...there was a sky walk proposed to connect VMH and vytilla junction...bt seeing the design of the skywalk in todays' news paper, i doubt whether it connects VMH...correct me if i am wrong..

[mohammedirshad06]

Private buses operating from the city to different destinations in the district would be based at the Vytilla bus terminal-cum-mobility hub from September 12.

This was decided at a meeting held here on Tuesday in which the managing director of Kochi Metro Rail Limited Tom Jose, the Ernakulam RTO, T.J. Thomas and senior police officials participated. Circular buses would operate from the hub to the city. A pre-paid autorickshaw counter at the hub would begin next week.

The proposal to reroute through the Edappally-Aroor NH 47 bypass many of the KSRTC superfast buses that now travel through congested roads to the RTC's main bus stand in the city and from there to Aroor through Thopumpady, is hanging fire. The formal rerouting is expected once the RTC arranges to refuel buses at its Aluva depot. The issue has been taken up with the RTC authorities, Mr. Jose said.

http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper...cle2434539.ece