Kochi City Transportation

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by binaiks

Wow! This is the best news! The Metro would take some time to come - but the railways can renovate the ERG Terminus and get trains running in much shorter time. The location of ERG makes it the best point to base suburban trains - however, trains towards ALLP/KTYM cannot start from here - unless they create somekind of facility for trains from ERG to run towards ERN.

The action councils are asking for running it thro' current rail lines. There are so many abandon lines connecting between ERG to regular line, say the one that run parallel to Tatapuram-Pachalam road etc.....

But two major issues are there. One is that, current lines are saturated to almost 200% and running MEMUs would only increase it..... Perhaps it can be solved to some extend, if ABS is introduced....

Secondly, the railways have never been so kind enough to Kerala, to gifts many projects. Even those MEMUs offered to us has not yet started its service, which itself is delayed to more than 2 1/2 years. In such a context, it would be more difficult to get Commuter rail, unless some regional party like Kerala Congress either gets a major say in Center govt or any of them becoming RAIL MANTRI.... Both are unlikely in any logical thinking....

So it may not become a reality, unless God and fate think otherwise

[mohammedirshad06]

If everything goes according to plan, Kochi corporation will activate its defunct water metro system which once connected the city to its outskirts.

The water metro project which has the support of the state government, proposes to revive the canal systems with the help of the irrigation department which will de-silt seven major canals and strengthen their retaining walls to ensure that floodwaters are drained into Kochi backwaters. The city has a reputation of being flooded when there are heavy showers.

The move could come as a blessing for the cash-strapped Kochi corporation which says that it could cost Rs 75 lakh a year for de-silting the Thevara-Perandoor canal. According to corporation officials, it could cost the civic body at least Rs 7 crore-a-year to clean these canals. A considerable amount will also be required to maintain the retaining walls.There are about 25 canals in the city and five major ones, identified under the water metro project, will be made navigable in the hope that that would ease the traffic on roads.

http://articles.timesofindia.indiati...poration-metro

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

The action councils are asking for running it thro' current rail lines. There are so many abandon lines connecting between ERG to regular line, say the one that run parallel to Tatapuram-Pachalam road etc.....

There aren't "many" lines connecting ERG to the regular line - just one, the one which takes off from the regular line near Lourde Hospital and running through Tatapuram, ending at ERG. Although ERG has the advantage of sitting right in the heart of the city, it cannot connect to the Kottayam-Alappuzha side - for that the trains would have to reverse at Edappalli, or the railways would have to lay a small spur of line around Pachalam LC, to connect the ERG line to the lines towards ERS/KTYM/ALLP. But this is very difficult to accomplish.

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

But two major issues are there. One is that, current lines are saturated to almost 200% and running MEMUs would only increase it..... Perhaps it can be solved to some extend, if ABS is introduced....

200%?? The Saturation is around 120~150%. The biggest problem with the railway lines in Kerala is that we have very very long block sections. Shorter sections, with Automatic Signalling in places wherever possible will solve the issue to a huge extent.

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

Secondly, the railways have never been so kind enough to Kerala, to gifts many projects. Even those MEMUs offered to us has not yet started its service, which itself is delayed to more than 2 1/2 years.

Why blame the railways here? Have the public co-operated with a single expansion project?? The Guruvayur-Thirunavaya line is being so vehemently opposed, as if the line would abolish the affected people from the earth. We have the tendency to oppose any new project - there is no point blaming the railways for that.

The state government never co-operates with the railways on land acquisition, even survey!

It was the state government which played a huge role in delaying the Palakkad Coach Factory for so long. The same government delayed LA for doubling works.

The delay in running MEMU services however defies all logics - I wonder what keeps the railways in delaying them from so long. The rake could've been run on 6 days a week, and taken to Erode ELS for maintenance on weekends for now. Palakkad MEMU shed is already commissioned, but no rakes have been allotted.

[mohammedirshad06]

Thanks for the information....Yes, public is too never co-operative to railways. Perhaps, the biggest problem associated with railways is that, it separtes land into two, making it difficult to connect each side....In a densely populated state like Kerala, its an herculan task to construct N Number of flyovers/ROBS and other things like that.....

Perhaps, in future, railways should think of elevated or underground rails over existing rails network, rather thinking for more acquisitions.....Or otherwise, acquisitions should be planned for another 100 years of development, which never happens in a country like India.

I believe, Commuter rail always have an edge in a city like Kochi than Metro as such. We don't have huge intra-city population, rather strong floating population from other cities. Even a dedicated EMU Rail can make sense for a city like Kochi, though it will take more time due to acquisition issues.

[mohammedirshad06]

The decision to terminate long-distance services at the Vyttila Mobility Hub from Monday has been postponed as the authorities are yet to chalk out a plan to re-route buses. The authorities have not received Kerala State Road Transport Corporation's (KSRTC) nod in this matter.

Since many long-distance KSRTC buses coming to Ernakulam from southern districts pass through Thoppumpady Bridge and enter the city, re-routing them through Vyttila requires KSRTC's consent.

"The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) is holding a meeting in this regard. We have not come to any conclusions. We have approached KSRTC and we expect to hear from them soon. Also private buses will terminate services at the mobility hub," said Regional Transport Officer, TJ Thomas. He also said that the new date for re-routing services will be announced later. He said there was public demand not to discontinue bus services through Thoppumpady as this would isolate West Kochi. "We will have to retain at least 25 per cent of buses plying through this route," he said. Vyttila Mobility Hub MD M Beena said that there was a need to ensure sufficient feeder buses to transport people from the hub to the city. "We have decided to permit KSRTC's ordinary buses and private services to enter the city. We will have to approach KSRTC if we need more feeder buses," she said.

She said that once long-distance buses terminate their services, present bus stops at Vyttila junction will be closed. "People planning to take a bus from Vyttila to Cherthala and Alappuzha side as well as Aluva will have to catch their bus from the hub. The stops at Vyttila for buses heading towards Thrippunithura, Kottayam and Vaikom directions will also be closed," she said.

It was earlier decided that buses entering the hub could enter the Vyttila-Petta Road through the newly laid road. Besides, parking of private vehicles will be permitted in the hub to enable people to reach the place and take public transport.

Buses heading to the city from Kottayam, Vaikom, Piravom, and Muvattupuzha via Thrippunithura will terminate at the hub. Buses heading from southern districts will proceed through Vyttila bypass and enter Ernakulam end their service at the hub. Buses from northern districts will proceed through Edappally bypass and terminate at the hub.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9864507.cms

[bijuarr]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

The decision to terminate long-distance services at the Vyttila Mobility Hub from Monday has been postponed as the authorities are yet to chalk out a plan to re-route buses. The authorities have not received Kerala State Road Transport Corporation's (KSRTC) nod in this matter.

Since many long-distance KSRTC buses coming to Ernakulam from southern districts pass through Thoppumpady Bridge and enter the city, re-routing them through Vyttila requires KSRTC's consent.

"The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) is holding a meeting in this regard. We have not come to any conclusions. We have approached KSRTC and we expect to hear from them soon. Also private buses will terminate services at the mobility hub," said Regional Transport Officer, TJ Thomas. He also said that the new date for re-routing services will be announced later. He said there was public demand not to discontinue bus services through Thoppumpady as this would isolate West Kochi. "We will have to retain at least 25 per cent of buses plying through this route," he said. Vyttila Mobility Hub MD M Beena said that there was a need to ensure sufficient feeder buses to transport people from the hub to the city. "We have decided to permit KSRTC's ordinary buses and private services to enter the city. We will have to approach KSRTC if we need more feeder buses," she said.

She said that once long-distance buses terminate their services, present bus stops at Vyttila junction will be closed. "People planning to take a bus from Vyttila to Cherthala and Alappuzha side as well as Aluva will have to catch their bus from the hub. The stops at Vyttila for buses heading towards Thrippunithura, Kottayam and Vaikom directions will also be closed," she said.

It was earlier decided that buses entering the hub could enter the Vyttila-Petta Road through the newly laid road. Besides, parking of private vehicles will be permitted in the hub to enable people to reach the place and take public transport.

Buses heading to the city from Kottayam, Vaikom, Piravom, and Muvattupuzha via Thrippunithura will terminate at the hub. Buses heading from southern districts will proceed through Vyttila bypass and enter Ernakulam end their service at the hub. Buses from northern districts will proceed through Edappally bypass and terminate at the hub.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9864507.cms

Soon our bypass going to be a real city road and also a busy bus route

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by bijuarr

Soon our bypass going to be a real city road and also a busy bus route

It already is! I've often traveled through Vyttila-Kadavanthra-Kathrikadavu-Kaloor-Palarivattom-Edappally, and reached faster than coming via the bypass, especially during evening hours!

But with the VMH getting fully live, the bypass would be a dreaded road!

[keralite]

I hope buses from perumbavoor and muvattupuzha passing through kakkanad-palarivattom are allowed to halt at kaloor bus stand. I was told these buses are also asked to stop services at VMH while taking left from Palarivattom signal.

personal opinion though

[mohammedirshad06]

Originally Posted by bijuarr

Soon our bypass going to be a real city road and also a busy bus route

Its already a city road..... Typically in Kerala, its least possible to afford a real byepass, as every byepass will convert sooner or later into a city road. We all know, in 1925, MG Road too was part of Cochin State Highway and later in 1960, it was declared as part of NH 47, which is now rechristen as part of NH 47A (don't know whether its still part of NH 47 or not). Then came Byepass to become NH 47. Now within a year or so, that tag will move out to some other road

Ideally a byepass must be completely access controlled with barren reserves areas, to halt it becoming a city road. This is not possible in Kerala. So the only alternatives are either construct an elevated/underground byepass or continue the practice of shifting byepass to new roads after every 4 decades.

Ideally the best byepass route is to construct a long bridge from Aroor to South Paravur (near Udayamperoor) via Aroorkooty, Perumbalam island and redevelop SP/AP road as city byepass.... Already SP/AP road is going to be 4 laned road and this will reduce traffic moving from South Kerala, particularly Alleppey side to move to city outskirts without getting into traffic congestion.

In addition, if the elevated Aroor-Edappally Highway is still on cards, it will be a major boon for non-city based traffic to move....

[mohammedirshad06]

Auto drivers' unions in the city have joined hands with the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to book autorickshaws plying without city permit. The RTA has also decided to crack the whip on unauthorised autorickshaw stands that have sprung up within the city limits.

As the authorities do not have the exact data of autorickshaws operating in the city, regional transport officer T J Thomas said, "The initial step is to collect details of autorickshaws which have city permit. There are only a few approved stands and there is a requirement to find out how many autos can be accommodated in each stand."

He said that he would seek the assistance of traffic police to carry out checking of autos. The lack of manpower to enforce the decision would be a major hindrance in making the drive successful. "I will approach the police to find out whether this is feasible or not," he said.

Various unions of auto drivers had also agreed to cooperate with the initiative as they felt that many vehicles from neighbouring municipalities and panchayats were operating in the Kochi corporation's limits.

K R Saju, secretary, Auto Drivers' Federation said that as per the rough estimates available with them, there were about 12,000 autorickshaws in the corporation's limit. "New permits are not issued. There are about 100 authorized auto stands."

He said that they couldn't entertain autos from neighbouring localities in the city as that would increase the number of vehicles and reduce the number of trips, especially return trips.

The minimum charge for autorickshaw journey is fixed at Rs 12 and for every next kilometre, the charge is fixed at Rs 7. "In the current circumstances, it is difficult to get a return trip. So, most drivers end up asking for additional charges from the customer. The charges indicated on the metre do not include the fare of the return trip," he said.

He said that if autos which have city permits were allowed to park at stands adjacent to passengers' destination, then it would be beneficial for both passengers and auto drivers.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...ow/9878850.cms

[mohammedirshad06]

Transport Minister V S Sivakumar has said the state government would start new endeavours in association with the Central Government for improving the transport facilities in the state. Flagging off a Thiru-Kochi bus started in the Thuthiyoor-Ernakulam route on Tuesday, Sivakumar said the KSRTC would start new services in proportion to its growth rate.

The preliminary steps in this regard have been initiated, he said. To ease the traffic woes of the public, the KSRTC will purchase 1,000 more buses. Of these, 500 buses will start services soon, Sivakumar said.

The KSRTC has achieved 10 percent growth over the last fiscal, the Minister said. Around 890 services of KSRTC had been generating loss. Three Thiru-Kochi buses have been allotted in the Thuthiyoor-Ernakulam route. It is the first of the three buses that was flagged off on Tuesday. Benny Behanan MLA presided over the meeting. Thrikkakara municipal chairman P A Mohammed Ali and councillor Noushad Pallachi spoke.

http://ibnlive.in.com/news/state-cen...97-60-121.html

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

Flagging off a Thiru-Kochi bus started in the Thuthiyoor-Ernakulam route on Tuesday, Sivakumar said the KSRTC would start new services in proportion to its growth rate.

This new service was flagged off by cancelling on bus on the Gosree route! Even the buses running on the Thevara-Container Road-Aluva route were started after cancelling buses on the Gosree Route.

Interestingly, about 5 Thirukochi buses are with Ankamaly depot, running routes like Aluva-Ankamaly and Ankamaly-Chalakkudy!

[mohammedirshad06]

After Mobility Hub, the next major bus project for Kochi will be Aluva Central Bus terminal cum Shopping Mall project.

The KSRTC is planning to redevelop the current Aluva KSRTC Bus station into a modern Bus Terminal along with a shopping Mall, to garner more revenues for the cash strapped organization. To study about the proposal, the Transport Minister Shivakumar himself will be visiting the depot on the last week of this month

This was initimated to Aluva MLA Anwar Sadath. There are plans to make Aluva as major station for all inter-city/inter state services, to reduce congestion at Kochi.

Since land availability is a problem, there are plans to shift the workshop/garage to a new location, for improved usage of the facility.

http://www.manoramaonline.com/cgi-bi...7613&BV_ID=@@@

[mohammedirshad06]

So ending all speculations and unconfirmed reports, the District Collector- Sheik Pareek, who is also the head of Goshree Islands Development Authority (GIDA), announced the launch of GIDA Ferry services, connecting various islands of Kochi with the mainland.

The first service will be launched in next 6 months time, with its own state-of-the-art boat, costing Rs 1.46 crore. The boat will boost some of the latest safety and comfort features and will have two decks. The lower deck will be No-Frills, meant for ordinary passengers, while the upper deck will be air-conditioned with more luxurious seating and viewing options. In addition, a viewer's deck will be available for upper deck passengers, mainly aiming high profile tourists and passengers of upper strata. Around 75 passengers can be catered at a time. The boat is capable for even travelling in depth less than 2 meters and fitted latest anchoring devices to anchor the boat in times of rough sea and high tides

There will be 4 services per day for initial days to check the response of public and will be increased demanding upon demand. Initially there will be only one boat for the services, which shall be increased depending upon the success of the project.

The boat service will be a primary services to study upon commercial prospects of proposed Kochi Water Metro. If found successful, this model shall be extended for Kochi Ferry Services, connecting various parts of city, which aims for reduction of road congestion and increased public transportation options.

The Collector also intimated that Airport-Seaport Waterway routes are under commercial-environmental study and will be soon commissioned, based on study reports. He also informed that more routes are planned between Kochi-Kakkanad and Kochi-Paravur sides.

The collector said that once the Waterway 3 is commissioned, more inter-cities water routes will be commissioned with Kochi as primary base. He was hinting on the immense potential of Kochi-Alapuzha and Kochi-Kottayam services.

(The report came in today's Metro Manorama and Manorama TV Kochi News)

[mohammedirshad06]

The remains of the Kottappuram (Kodungalloor) Fort built by the Portugese in 1523 overlooking the Periyar near its mouth

Visitors to the Muziris heritage site located off Kodungalloor would be able to take a boat tour of the locale that abuts the waterway, in another six months.

The Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) has set in motion work to construct five of the 14 boat jetties envisaged to enable visitors to check out the heritage and excavation site in an eco-friendly way, without causing air and sound pollution. “The five jetties would be ready by March 2012, while the rest would be built by March 2013,” said Captain (retd.) C. Unnikrishnan, the corporation's MD.

The Rs. 4.60 crore estimated to be the cost of constructing the 14 jetties would come from the 12th Finance Commission. The jetties that would be built initially are the ones at North Paravur, Kottayil Kovilakom, Paliam Krishna temple, Kottappuram market and Kottappuram fort. The roofed jetties would link the historic temples, churches, mosques and synagogues in the area. “There would also be a ticket counter, waiting area for guests etc.,” Captain Unnikrishnan said.

Asked whether the KSINC would operate boats on the route, he said that orders would have to be placed for a few boats that can ply at a speed of 6 to 10 knots per hour (each knot is 1.8 km).

Boats would be able to call at Pattanam, Kodungalloor, Pallipuram Fort, and Gothuruth, when more jetties are built in phase two.

BICYCLES

While boats would ferry visitors through the waterway, bicycles would take them from one place to another on land. “This is part of the ‘green archeology' concept that is sensitive to heritage and ecological issues. People can donate bicycles for the venture and we have already got 40 of them,” said the director of Kerala Council of Historical Research P. J. Cherian. He can be contacted at 98474 49495.

“Our aim is to minimise the number of motorised vehicles entering the heritage site where most of the local residents depend on bicycles to move around.”

This is the trend the world over, where some sites have battery-operated vehicles, he said.

[mohammedirshad06]

Long-distance private and Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses that operate through the bus stands in the city will ply through the Vytilla bus terminal-cum-mobility hub from Monday.

This will coincide with the three-day trial diversion of light motor vehicles using the North Overbridge through alternative roads. The trial traffic diversion will begin on Monday.

Under the proposal that was ratified by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA), all buses that cover over 140 km in each trip and terminate their services in the bus stands in the city or pass through them would from Monday be either based at the Vytilla bus terminal-cum-mobility hub or pass through it. This is expected to reduce traffic congestion in the city's central region where the two main bus stands - the KSRTC main bus stand and the Kaloor private bus stand - are located.

The numerous long-distance KSRTC buses that now pass through congested city roads and Thoppumpady can save at least an hour on running time per trip and also considerable amount of fuel once they begin to use the NH bypass to reach the mobility hub.

Managing director of the Vytilla Mobility Hub Society M. Beena said that the KSRTC had been asked to operate feeder buses from the hub to the city for the benefit of commuters who intended to reach areas west of the bypass. “This will be in addition to the existing Vytilla-Vytilla circular buses. Long-distance passengers will be able to get connection buses to their destination from the hub itself,” she said.

The RTA decision is to permit private limited stop, fast passenger and super express buses to operate from the Vytilla hub. While buses proceeding to Tripunithura from the city will call at the hub, those coming from Tripunithura to the city will not enter the hub. These buses will be provided stop near the temple at Vytilla Junction.

Mofussil buses from places such as Thalayolaparambu, Vaikom, Piravom, Muvattupuzha, Cherthala, Perumbavoor, Kodungalloor and so on would continue to be based at the Kaloor bus stand.

THOPPUMPADY ROUTE

KSRTC's long-distance (mainly superfast) buses will be diverted through the bypass from Monday. For providing connectivity to West Kochi, 25 fast-passenger buses will ply through the existing M.G. Road-Thoppumpady route daily.

Fifty per cent of the KSRTC buses on the Guruvayur-Ernakulam route will operate from the Vytilla hub and will be re-routed through the bypass, while the rest will continue to operate from the Ernakulam Boat Jetty stand of KSRTC.

Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer T.J. Thomas said that the KSRTC had promised to make arrangements at the neighbouring bus depots to refuel the buses that would be diverted through the hub. “The Mobility Hub Society has promised to provide land in the hub for the KSRTC to set up a fuel station and office, but this will take some time.”

He added that buses would cease to stop at two bus stops at Vytilla Junction from Monday, and would instead call at the hub. They are the bus stops near the entry to the Kaniyampuzha Road and the one south of Vytilla Junction, where Alappuzha-bound KSRTC and private buses used to stop.

“We have asked the KSRTC to operate Thiru-Kochi and low-floor buses from the hub to the city. Mini buses can ideally conduct service through roads parallel to arterial roads and also side roads, thus boosting public transport,” Mr. Thomas said.

On a trial basis, only heavy vehicles would be permitted beyond the Thykoodam ‘Cupola' Junction on the Pettah-Vytilla Road on Monday.

Other vehicles should either take a left turn from the Cupola or use the Power House Road to join the NH Bypass.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/...cle2444321.ece

[binaiks]

Out and Out, this decision would be affection KSRTC alone. Private buses would continue their high-handedness in the city!! I am not sure if this would help in reducing any kind of congestion.

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

This is expected to reduce traffic congestion in the city's central region where the two main bus stands - the KSRTC main bus stand and the Kaloor private bus stand - are located.

This decision would desert the KSRTC bus station, but how would "reduce traffic congestion" at Kaloor? All the buses that currently call on Kaloor bus station would continue to do so! So where exactly is the traffic being reduced here??

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

The numerous long-distance KSRTC buses that now pass through congested city roads and Thoppumpady can save at least an hour on running time per trip and also considerable amount of fuel once they begin to use the NH bypass to reach the mobility hub.

KSRTC buses surely would save on their running time, and so would they save fuel - but they also stand to lose their passengers. Especially buses running towards Kottayam side!

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

Mofussil buses from places such as Thalayolaparambu, Vaikom, Piravom, Muvattupuzha, Cherthala, Perumbavoor, Kodungalloor and so on would continue to be based at the Kaloor bus stand.

Excellent! So where did you reduce the traffic?

Originally Posted by mohammedirshad06

Fifty per cent of the KSRTC buses on the Guruvayur-Ernakulam route will operate from the Vytilla hub and will be re-routed through the bypass, while the rest will continue to operate from the Ernakulam Boat Jetty stand of KSRTC.

Again - another move squarely aimed at KSRTC passengers. I see this as another move to help private buses than reduce traffic congestion. Why on earth are KSRTC buses being discriminated? Private buses continue to call on the city, while KSRTC buses are required to run through the periphery of the city.

[DileepKS]

Binai, Kaloor is connected by roads wide enough and capacious enough in comparison with the KSRTC stands, either the central station, or Boat Jetty. So, if you move ops out, first preference should be for KSRTC.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by DileepKS

Binai, Kaloor is connected by roads wide enough and capacious enough in comparison with the KSRTC stands, either the central station, or Boat Jetty. So, if you move ops out, first preference should be for KSRTC.

I don't agree to your logic at all. In fact, Kaloor bus stand is a much bigger mess than KSRTC Bus Station - The traffic at KSRTC Bus Stand does not have a bearing on the main road traffic - because they are away from the main road. (KSRTC operations at Jetty is small. Buses other than those to Varapuzha side are handled near Ernakulathappan ground)

On the other hand, Kaloor bus station is location right on the main road - a block inside Kaloor bus station chokes up the entire stretch from Palarivattom to Kaloor - the Kathrikadavu-Kaloor section is another nightmare if there is some problem at Kaloor.

Instead, moving out mofussil operations from Kaloor should have been the first priority and not KSRTC. Moving long distance operations of KSRTC is a good move - but moving KSRTC mofussil operations and keeping private operations is not at all a good move - this is a one sided move that would increase losses of KSRTC.

[rkpai13]

Kochi/Ernakulam traffic woes is not because of buses but because of lots of four wheelers that ply through the city. So by moving few buses from KSRTC bus stand will it reduce the traffic congestion?