Connecting the Kochi Metro to the various feeder services which was once an incomplete task is now made possible with the new pact between KMRL and private bus operating companies.
The project for ‘seamless integration of public transportation modes in Kochi’ was initiated by KMRL in 2013 to bring together the fragmented and competing modes of public transport under one umbrella. This move opened the doors to a structured and seamless transportation system in the city. It acts as a feeder to the metro and other mass transit systems, boosting urban mobility.
Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) inked a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) with the seven companies operating 1,000 private buses in Kochi, along with another firm to jointly promote public transport in the Greater Kochi area. This pact will also develop and deploy electric vehicles (EV) to operate the feeder services.
KMRL Director (Projects) Thiruman Archunan signed the JDI in the presence of new Managing Director A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish and outgoing MD Elias George. The pact for electric vehicles was inked with Vinsca Electric Vehicles Pvt Limited.
As part of the initiative, KMRL intends to integrate city bus operations in the urban mobility area by preparing integrated bus timetable, GPS-based bus tracking and bus journey planner. Passenger information system at bus stops and terminals, operations control centre (OCC), common smart-card ticketing and depot facilities will also be included.
It also aims at promoting electric buses as an ultimate choice of public transport and CNG buses as an interim measure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative also envisions a well-organised autorickshaw network as a feeder system to public transport systems like metro, bus services, water metro, and other mass transport networks, offering first and last-mile connectivity.
Rallying under the Co-ordination Committee of Private Bus Operating Companies (CBOC) the various bus companies will offer an efficient, passenger-friendly, economical and coordinated public transport system to Kochietes.
The move also aims to encourage the commuters to shift from cars and two-wheelers to the public transport network.
Vinsca intends to develop and deploy electric auto-rickshaws and vans as feeders to mass public transportation systems. This will be done either through retrofitting or as an original equipment assembler (OEA) to develop, deploy and promote electric vehicles (EV) under its brand ‘Commute Green’. The JDI is a non-binding, non-commercial arrangement between the two parties to co-facilitate the implementation of the project to seamlessly integrate transportation modes in the city.
Source: The Hindu
