Kochi gets Chalo app

August 07, 2018 12:00 am | Updated 03:33 am IST - KOCHI

Minister, private bus operators express concern over alarming fall in demand for public transport facilities in the State

The approximately 3% fall in the number of commuters using public transport each year in the State is an alarming trend and a wake-up call for stakeholders, Minister for Transport A.K. Saseendran has said.

Commuters shifting to private vehicles is increasing congestion, accidents, and pollution, with two-wheelers being involved in 70% of accidents, he said here on Friday, after launching Chalo, a free mobile app that enables live tracking of 850 private buses and a dozen SWTD ferries operated in Kochi and to suburban towns. The app can be downloaded from Google Play Store.

It will shortly become a multi-modal journey planner app once 15,000 autorickshaws are brought under its ambit.

“Commuters can plan their trips by relying on the app, considerably saving on time.

The app will feature (over 400) KSRTC buses operated in the Greater Kochi area once their routes and timings are rationalised,” Mr. Saseendran said.

The app is the joint initiative of Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) and the New Delhi-based Urban Mass Transit Company Limited (UMTC).

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