The precarious fall in the share of public transport in Ernakulam district has struck a nerve, leaving stakeholders a worried lot.
Each year, there is a 3% fall in the number of bus passengers, despite thousands of newcomers setting up home in Kochi and its suburbs thanks to rapid urbanisation, said former Joint Transport Commissioner B.J. Antony. He is now attached to Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), spearheading initiatives to improve and integrate various modes of public transport.
“This works out to around 10% fall in the number of commuters every three years. Subsequently, many private bus operators are not renewing permits. Numerous others who prefer to be in service substitute big buses with those will less seating capacity,” he added.
As a possible fallout, the past few years have seen approximately three private buses withdraw from service each day, bringing down their number from over 20,000 to around 15,000. “Dozens of fleet operators have withdrawn from service due to increase in operational expenses, mainly cost of spares, fuel, tyres, and wages. They also encounter difficulties in getting good and trustworthy bus crew,” Mr. Antony said.
Congestion fee
Aimed at lessening the number of cars and two-wheelers entering the city, Ernakulam Regional Transport Officer Regi P. Varghese suggested the introduction of congestion fee at entry points.
“Initiatives similar to curbs on odd / even number registration vehicles entering the city, which was tried out in New Delhi, too can be experimented here, to encourage people to use the metro, buses, and other public commuting modes. Commuters in 30 cars can easily fit into two buses, considerably lessening congestion and pollution,” he said.
The Regional Transport Authority (RTA) headed by the District Collector can take decisions on such matters.
Mr. Varghese further cited the need to introduce air-conditioned buses on city routes, with fares less than those charged by the KSRTC’s low-floor buses.
Former RTO Adarsh Kumar Nair, who too is associated with KMRL, said the share of various modes of public transport, including buses, autorickshaws and taxi cars, had fallen to 49%.
“Stage-carrier buses being registered do not even constitute 1% of the total vehicle registrations in the district, despite Kerala’s vehicle population remaining at around 1.10 crore, or a vehicle for every three people. This is comparable to the average vehicle population of the US,” he observed.
Electric buses
Mr. Nair suggested the introduction of electric and CNG-run AC buses to keep pollution under check and to provide a comfortable mode of transport through arterial and side roads. The seven newly-constituted bus companies in the district can together do much in this regard.
AC vehicles
Responding to the suggestion to introduce air-conditioned buses and the Centre fixing 2030 as the target to have only electric buses in India, Ernakulam District Private Bus Operators’ Association general secretary K.B. Suneer said each such bus would cost around ₹3 crore.
He also sought the introduction of bus rapid transport (BRT) corridors along busy highway stretches and city roads to lessen the number of private vehicles.
Mr. Suneer further demanded the introduction of hefty parking fee on arterial and side roads to dissuade car owners from venturing into the city.
