Vyttila Mobility Hub | Public Transit Development

[vu3nnn]

As we said sometime before, we are not living a prefect world and under prefect system.

Agreed, but that cannot be an excuse to justify incompetence. For instance, even Bangalore and Chennai are also imperfect, albeit in a different way than ours. We just have to compare how Chennai executed their Koyembedu Bus Terminal project and how we are executing Vytilla...

Typical to Kerala, we live in extremely dense area and land is extremely costly. Only one project and genuine need for development of that project, help us to acquire more land for it.

developments in Vytilla Jn or further improvement in VMH does not require any land acquisition

With congestion and other issues, there is a genuine demand for making Vytilla-Eloor road into a 4 lane, which without VMH couldn't think about it at all.

Four laning Vytilla-Eloor road is needed, but not urgent as of now, and would not reduce the congestion at Vytilla. What is urgent is improvements in Vytilla Jn, especially flyovers, and basic passenger amenities in VMH.

The VMH team did what is possible, leaving out some to be done later. If they had waited for everything, we would have waited forever.

The VMH team is responsible for lack of basic facilities inside the hub, but they are alone not to blame. The developments in Vytilla Jn and approach to the hub is more the responsibility of the District administration and the Corporation. As usual, what we see is lack of coordination and one agency passing the buck to another.

Tell me WHICH project happened in a systematic way in this great land? We are like this onlee.. And we do things like this onlee...

I was associated with CIAL when they started operations. The team worked 24x7 during the last few weeks to put the basic infrastructure in place. There were many challenges, vested interests, conflicting authorities, and more, but still before the first flight landed we had the public announcement system in place, a functioning pre paid taxi system, public toilets, passenger and visitor waiting areas and comfort stations, public restaurant, canteen, and more. None of these were incidentally essential to start operations. True, more improvements such as the rail overbridge was added later, but the plan was already drawn up and basic infrastructure was in place before operations started.

Credit goes to Mr V J Kurian for pulling that off. Both the previous LDF and the current UDF governments were/are supportive of the Vytilla hub. V J Kurian achieved all this with a hostile NDA government at the center, a (then) uncooperative LDF regime ruling the state, and Mr S Sharma in the director board.

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by vu3nnn

Agreed, but that cannot be an excuse to justify incompetence. For instance, even Bangalore and Chennai are also imperfect, albeit in a different way than ours. We just have to compare how Chennai executed their Koyembedu Bus Terminal project and how we are executing Vytilla.

If we look even today, can you point out whats all are surrounding Koyembedu? Can you point any single Highrise in that area? Can you tell me can you compare Koyembedu with Vytilla?

I too can consider a Koyembedu in Kochi, perhaps, I would have to consider Thuravoor or Open fields somewhere after Angamally.... But will it be solution to Kochi's city traffic?

We are talking about a project, that is happening in ground ZERO of Kochi City. Hence its surely bound to create some problems untill it is to be settled.

Its easy to dream Bangalore and Chennai here.... But not a single case of Bangalore can be reciprocted in Kerala, be it positive aspect or negative aspect? Can Ommen Chandy freeze acres of land in Kochi and denotify it to sell it to Chandy Ommen, as in case of Yedurappa?

developments in Vytilla Jn or further improvement in VMH does not require any land acquisition

It surely requires... From where Flyover can be constructed? Will its spans and side roads, happens in heaven? Should we construct another South ROB there in Vytilla? Naturally LA is required.....

Four laning Vytilla-Eloor road is not urgent as of now, and would not reduce the congestion at Vytilla. What is urgent is improvements in Vytilla Jn, especially flyovers, and basic passenger amenities in VMH.

If we analyse the traffic, the congestion is primarly caused because of narrow SA road, especially when SA Road from Vytilla to Tripunithara side is least expandable due to KSEB sub station and presence of water body nearby.

Secondly Vytilla-Eroor road is ideal, as it can be 4 laned and expandable. Moreover it touches at one of the important roads to Kochi's industrial Hub. In future it can convert as Infopark Expressway.

Moreover bus from city, can directly enter to VMH, without confusion. The exit can be done thro' current road.

This is just one option. More other options can be checked upon. Unless projects are planned, nothing can happen in Kerala.....

[vu3nnn]

If we look even today, can you point out whats all are surrounding Koyembedu? Can you point any single Highrise in that area? Can you tell me can you compare Koyembedu with Vytilla?

what has that to do with facilities INSIDE the hub in both places?.... its the approach to planning and execution that matters. Just because Koyambedu is isolated and Vytilla is crowded, it does not mean we cannot compare Koyembedu and Vytilla...... and the flyovers in Chennai city are anyway an example of how to plan and build even in the midst of urban chaos.

We are talking about a project, that is happening in ground ZERO of Kochi City. Hence its surely bound to create some problems until it is to be settled.

I am not arguing for an Oriwellean world where everything takes place perfectly. There is a difference between improvements needed and basic facilities lacking .... and as I have already stated, I agree that in time things will improve. But that is not the issue here.

This is just one option. More other options can be checked upon. Unless projects are planned, nothing can happen in Kerala.....

Anywhere else in the world, such planning takes place BEFORE the project is complete, not AFTER. Execution may be delayed for any number of reasons, but the plan would be clear and known to all before the project starts off. Here no one who matters still has a clue on what to do with Vytilla Jn. even after VMH is already functional. That is the incompetence I am talking about.

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by vu3nnn

what has that to do with facilities INSIDE the hub in both places?.... its the approach to planning and execution that matters. Just because Koyambedu is isolated and Vytilla is crowded, it does not mean we cannot compare Koyembedu and Vytilla.

By the way, is these 13 bays and one platform comprises of VMH? Its not even Phase One... Just Part A of Phase One. We are comparing a one month old baby with a school going kid!!!

Its just because of urgency of works going in the city, the VMH has opened now. And now a host of problems might prop up. And we have to settle that and start now. Chennai has some good bus stations, built since the days of British. Hence Koyambedu was just a value addition to move out long distance bus out of the city.

What Kochi had, was an Ethopian kind of bus stand, which now reduced to almost little due to flyover works.... And hence it was of paramount urgency to move the station out of city, on war-footing....

Both are not comparable in any means. May be, comparable, once Phase One and Two ends......

[vu3nnn]

Its just because of urgency of works going in the city, the VMH has opened now.

which again highlights the poor planning I am talking about. It is easy to pass the buck and make excuses when things are taken in isolation, but when taken as a whole the incompetence become glaring.

The simple fact that VMH is not ready should have been reasons enough to postpone the diversion of long distance busses through the hub. These busses could easily have used the container road without going through the North or South ROB! Busses from Kaloor and South anyway did not use the ROBs. So where was the need for such a hasty diversion through the hub?

The sensible approach would have been to shift only the busses terminating at Vytilla using what we have now, and then gradually shift or divert busses as facilities expand.

Chennai has some good bus stations, built since the days of British. Hence Koyambedu was just a value addition to move out long distance bus out of the city.

What Kochi had, was an Ethopian kind of bus stand, which now reduced to almost little due to flyover works....

The bus station at Parrys where long distance busses used to start from before Koyembedu came was no better than Ernakulam KSRTC stand.

[RKPV]

A Bus terminal nearby a major junction - is always a traffic problem. It is solution to none. Since we dont have any other option, we are going for that.

[mohammedirshad06]

Taking out a main chunk of traffic off the city roads, the Vyttila Mobility Hub has become a hub of activity. Despite various handicaps, the hub could play a key role in easing the traffic snarls in the city within a few days.

All the buses except some of the buses operating from Ernakulam KSRTC stand and the private buses from Perumbavoor, Kanjiramattom and Pirvaom side are not allowed to enter the city. All these buses halt at the mobility hub as the city buses enter the hub and pick up the passengers to the city from there. “Though there may be some difficulties for the long-distance passengers as there are only a few shops and facilities in the hub, it has already gone a great way in streamlining the traffic in the city,” Joseph, a commuter from Perumbavoor said.

There is lot of space for parking all the buses as 13 terminals have already been opened. According to the plans, six terminals will be allotted exclusively for KSRTC buses.

Around 650 buses enter the mobility hub every day. “As the hub has become functional, traffic in the city has come down significantly. Of the 650 buses that enter the hub, all except 80 city service buses halt there. The city buses mainly Vyttila-Vyttila circulars and the buses from Tripunithura side pick up the passengers to city from the hub,” said Baby Vinod, Assistant Commissioner, Traffic East.

Though the hub has become functional, it has a lot of handicaps as well. The narrow exit from the hub to the Vyttila-Tripunithura Road is adding to the congestion there. The authorities are yet to plan the development of Vyttila junction. “Efforts are still on to acquire the land for widening the stretch between the hub and Vyttila junction,” Baby Vinod said.

The shortage of adequate city buses to take the passengers arriving at the hub is another major drawback. In the absence of adequate buses, the commuters have to wait for a long time to board buses to reach their destinations in the city. “We will take measures to arrange more city buses from the mobility hub,” Baby Vinod said.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/vyttila-h...06-60-122.html

[mohammedirshad06]

Vytilla mobility hub gears up to meet an increased inflow of traffic, which is expected after demolition of North railway overbridge. As part of it, the hub will introduce prepaid autorickshaw service.

In the initial stage, the hub has roped in 50 autorickshaws. "We have taken into account the security of passengers. It is also ensured that all these autos have valid permit," said managing director Dr M Beena. A police outpost will also be set-up, she said. Benny Behannan MP will inaugurate the outpost on Saturday and city police commissioner M R Ajithkumar will inaugurate the prepaid auto service.

The hub had invited criticism after being not able to provide adequate facilities for passengers and KSRTC and private bus staff. Meanwhile, office for the KSRTC station master has not been provided yet. Canteen facility for transport corporation's staff too is absent here. "We expect Vyttila Mobility Hub Society to speed up the processes," said station master Sunil Kumar.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/10194244.cms

[mohammedirshad06]

വൈറ്റില മൊബിലിറ്റി ഹബ്ബിലെ രണ്ടാംഘട്ട വികസനത്തിന് ഒരുക്കങ്ങള്* ആരംഭിച്ചു. ഇതിനുള്ള ടെന്*ഡര്* നടപടികള്*ക്ക് ഉടന്* തുടക്കം കുറിക്കും.ടെര്*മിനലിന്*െറ രണ്ടാംഘട്ട വികസനത്തിന് 264 കോടിയുടെ ബാങ്ക് വായ്പയ്ക്ക് തിരുവനന്തപുരത്ത് ചേര്*ന്ന എക്സിക്യൂട്ടീവ് കമ്മിറ്റി തത്വത്തില്* അംഗീകാരം നല്*കി. ആദ്യപടിയായി 40 ബസുകള്*ക്കുള്ള പുതിയ പാര്*ക്കിങ് ബേ കൂടി നിര്*മിക്കാനാണ് കമ്മിറ്റി തീരുമാനം. ഇത് പൂര്*ത്തിയാകുമ്പോള്* 105 ബസുകള്*ക്ക് ഒരേ സമയം പാര്*ക്ക് ചെയ്യാനാവും. ഭൂമിക്കടിയില്* രണ്ടു നിലകളിലായി 1200 കാറുകള്*ക്ക് പാര്*ക്കിങ് സൗകര്യമേര്*പ്പെടുത്തും. സമീപം ബോട്ട് ജെട്ടി നിര്*മിക്കും. നിലവില്* 20 മീറ്റര്* നീളവും 13 മീറ്റര്* വീതിയുമുള്ള അഞ്ച് പാര്*ക്കിങ് ‘ബേ’കള്* ഇവിടെയുണ്ട്. ഇതില്* 65 ബസുകള്*ക്ക് പാര്*ക്ക് ചെ യ്യാം. രണ്ടാം ഘട്ട നിര്*മാണത്തിന് 376 കോടി രൂപ ചെലവുവരുമെന്നാണ് കണക്കുകൂട്ടല്*.
യൂനിയന്* ബാങ്കില്* നിന്ന് 100 കോടി , ദേനാ ബാങ്കില്* നിന്ന് 64 കോടി, ഫെഡറല്* ബാങ്ക്, കാനറ ബാങ്ക് എന്നിവിടങ്ങളില്* നിന്നു 50 കോടി രൂപ വീതവും വായ്പയെടുക്കാനാണ് തീരുമാനം. മൊബിലിറ്റി ഹബ്ബില്* പുതിയ ഇന്ധന ബങ്കിന് ദര്*ഘാസ് ക്ഷണിക്കും. സ്വകാര്യ വാഹനങ്ങള്*ക്കും ഇത് ഉപയോഗപ്പെടുത്താം. കെ.എസ്.ആര്*.ടി.സി സ്റ്റേഷന്* മാസ്റ്റര്*ക്ക് മൊബിലിറ്റി ഹബ്ബില്* പ്രത്യേക മുറി നിര്*മിക്കും. മൊബിലിറ്റി ഹബ്ബില്* നിന്ന് വൈറ്റില- പേട്ട റോഡിന്*െറ പ്രവേശന കവാടം വരെ ഫുട് പാത്ത് നിര്*മിക്കാനും കൂടുതല്* സ്ട്രീറ്റ് ലൈറ്റുകള്* സ്ഥാപിക്കാനും തീരുമാനമായി. യോഗത്തില്* ചീഫ് സെക്രട്ടറി, ധനകാര്യ, നഗരകാര്യ സെക്രട്ടറിമാര്*, മേയര്* ടോണി ചമ്മണി, മൊബിലിറ്റി ഹബ് സൊസൈറ്റി എം.ഡി ഡോ. എം. ബീന, നഗരസഭാ സെക്രട്ടറി അജിത് പാട്ടീല്*, മൊബിലിറ്റി ഹബ് ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥര്*, കൃഷി വകുപ്പു പ്രതിനിധി എന്നിവര്* പങ്കെടുത്തു.

http://www.madhyamam.com/news/122933/111002

The Second Phase of VMH will be commenced soon. The expected cost is 264 Crore Rs, funded mainly thro' consotrium of banks lead by UBI which has agreed in principle to provide Rs 100 crore, Dena Bank for 64 Crore, while Federal and Canara Banks for 50 Crores.

The immediate plans is to construction of additional Bus bays to accommodate 105 buses at a time. Similar 3 boat jetties would be constructed soon.

The VMH has agreed to allow KSRTC to establish a Petrol Bunk station as well as rooms for Station Masters/drivers.

[mohammedirshad06]

VMH Society to issue Pre-qualify Tender notice for 300 crore second phase


The Society has started steps of starting issuing the Pre-qualify tender, for which date will be soon announced. This was announced by Dr. Beena, the MD of VMH Society.

The tendering for starting a food court in the VMH has already been completed. The food court will start functioning from next month onwards.

From october 17th onwards the Hub will function 24 hours, to cater long services inter-state services.

Street lighting will be installed in all sides to help passengers to reach terminus via foot.

[DileepKS]

Way to Go!! Dr. Beena!!

[mohammedirshad06]

The Vyttila mobility hub is going to be operational 24x7 from Monday in an effort to expand its services and reach out to more passengers. This move will facilitate entry of long distance buses from neighbouring states to the hub.

Currently the hub is active between 8am and 8pm.

"The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation and Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation Ltd have expressed their willingness to operate through the hub. Private operators, who operate inter-state services, are also interested in using the hub," Vyttila Mobility Hub Society managing director M Beena said.

Beena added that the buses would be able to operate from the hub without entering city, on getting the approval from the regional transport authority (RTA). Once the expansion work of parking areas is completed, inter-state buses will be allowed to park at the hub during day time and two bays will be reserved for them.

The society also plans to charge a higher entry fee for these services. Both Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and private buses operating within the state are charged Rs 20 per day as entry fee. Long-term plans include introducing an integrated entry control system with card reading facility to regulate entry fee collection.

Beena said the offices for KSRTC and food courts would be set up within a month. Tendering process in this regard has been completed. The government has provided fast-track sanction for works related to land acquisition at the exit point of the hub. With the widening of the Vyttila-Pettah road, the society expects to solve issues that lead to traffic snarls.

With regard to the second phase of development, the society has started pre-qualification process and Kerala Industrial and Technical Consultancy Organization Ltd (KITCO) is expected to begin tendering process within two weeks.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/10382909.cms

[bijuarr]

Why long distance KSRTC buses starting from Kochi still using city bus stand?

[bijuarr]

What about the arrangements in night at VMH? Any frequent service by KSRTC during midnight to Kaloor, High court etc....areas?

[RKPV]

There is no driver/conductor rest rooms, announcement facility, account section, fuel pump, station master offices in Vyttila Busstand.

Originally Posted by bijuarr

Why long distance KSRTC buses starting from Kochi still using city bus stand?

[RKPV]

Is there any street lights between busstand and vyttila junction?

Originally Posted by bijuarr

What about the arrangements in night at VMH? Any frequent service by KSRTC during midnight to Kaloor, High court etc....areas?

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by RKPV

Is there any street lights between busstand and vyttila junction?

Currently no.... But VMH Society announced that they are going to install street lights in both the roads for entry and exits at their cost as well as installing a generator to ensure uninterrupted supply of power. It will done within 2 weeks.

In addition works for a 24 hour open general inquiry counter as well as open counters for passenger reservations for inter-state buses is currently undergoing.

In addition a permanent police aid post will be opened soon.

[mohammedirshad06]

VMH's 24 hour operations couldn't able to start today after KSRTC's order regarding appointment of night staff and station master for night duties didn't reach Kochi.

The VMH MD- Dr.Beena said that she will talk this matter with CM today and make arrangements within a couple of days.

[sree_ec]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

VMH's 24 hour operations couldn't able to start today after KSRTC's order regarding appointment of night staff and station master for night duties didn't reach Kochi.

The VMH MD- Dr.Beena said that she will talk this matter with CM today and make arrangements within a couple of days.

Mathrubhumi news about new proposal. It says VMH needs more bus services at night time if the proposal has to benefit common man

http://epaper.mathrubhumi.com/epaper.../18/2011-.aspx

[vu3nnn]

KOCHI: As part of the mobility hub authorities’ decision to stop the entry of all long-distance private buses and KSRTC buses into the city, the KSRTC and private bus unions have come out in protest against the inconveniences and losses caused to them.

KSRTC bus inspector S Udayappan at the Vyttila Mobility Hub said: “Since our superfast buses are not entering the Ernakulam bus stand anymore, our daily collection has gone down immensely low. Some days we are forced to travel with a few seats empty.”

According to KSRTC union members, the problem has arisen because people are still not aware that all the superfast buses are not available anymore in the Ernakulam bus stand. It is only when they reach the bus stand that they realise that there are no superfast buses. In order to save the trouble of coming to the mobility hub, these passengers opt for the fast passenger buses which is a major time-consuming affair for them. In the long run the KSRTC will suffer more losses if proper action is not taken.”

The unions state that the decision to stop the entry of buses to the city has proven to be a foolhardy one. “People are stranded on road sides without bus services. The best decision is to ply the buses through both the mobility hub and the other bus stands.

But the Mobility Hub officials said that the decision was taken to decrease the heavy traffic in the city. “Proper steps are being taken one by one. The only thing that is presently standing in the way is the protest by these unions.”

Meanwhile, there are strong protests from private buses plying from the high range areas. Kerala Bus Transport Association secretary Suresh Oommen said: “The high range private bus owners are coming out in strong protest raising the demand to ply their buses through Kaloor.

Shibu S, a private bus conductor from Poopara, Idukki, said: “We take only one trip to and from Kochi every day. If we are denied access through the major regions of the city, then what profits are we supposed to make? We are facing losses to the tune of `1,500 every day.”
http://ibnlive.in.com/news/hub-of-di...88-60-122.html

Another example of knee-jerk planning.

"Mobility Hub officials said that the decision was taken to decrease the heavy traffic in the city." But side-by-side they also plan to introduce some 50 new Vytilla-Vytilla circular busses through the city to increase connectivity to the mobility hub. How will traffic in the city reduce if long distance busses are replaced by circular busses?

The best approach is to re-route 50% of the long distance busses via Vytilla and retain the other 50% via the old route (and through Container Road to avoid North ROB) instead of the 8 to 8 approach.

As things stand, the people who benefit most from the Vytilla Hub are the private city bus operators and auto-rickshaws.