Bus Day, aimed at promoting public transport and decongesting roads by reducing the number of private vehicles, will be observed at Vyttila Mobility Hub on Thursday.
Benny Behanan, MLA, will inaugurate the celebrations at 9.30 a.m. Vyttila Mobility Hub Society (VMHS) managing director M. Beena will preside.
Bus Day is being organised by the district administration, the VMHS, and the Private Bus Operators’ Association with the support of Kochi Refinery Bharat Petroleum, Federal Bank, Gradiaso Events and CityonWheelz.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, VMHS special officer K.N. Raje said 6,000 free passes would be distributed to the public to facilitate free to and fro journey within the city limits on Thursday. Passes were made available at eight petrol pumps at entry points to the city including Tripunithura, Kakkanad, Thoppumppady and Edappally from Tuesday evening.
The concept of Bus Day was launched during the tenure of the previous Left Democratic Front government. Initially, it was organised every month before it was restricted to an annual affair.
The occasion will also mark the launch of reservation on long-distance private buses starting from the hub through its website www.vytillamobilityhubsociety.com. Schedule of buses operating from the hub will also be made available to the public through the website. City Police Commissioner K.G. James will inaugurate both the services.
Deputy Transport Commissioner P.A. Sainudheen will deliver the keynote address. Film director B. Unnikrishnan, actor Krishnaprabha, corporation councillor Sunitha Dixon and Private Bus Operators Association general secretary M.B. Satyan will be present.
VMHS will launch a six-day Onam programme on September 10. Cultural programmes will be staged at the hub from 5.30 p.m. on these days in association with various departments.
The celebrations will take off with an innovative programme ‘Ente Muthassi’ featuring a number of grandmothers. Pookkalam contest will also be held.