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.
