Share auto project gets a push

The Kochi Corporation is planning to carry forward the plan for developing a para-transit system as a part of the public transport system in the city.

Taking cue from the recommendations of experts during the workshop  organised for preparing the mobility grid plan for the city, the Kochi Corporation is planning to carry forward the plan for developing a para-transit system as a part of the public transport system in Kochi.

The para-transit system, which will fulfil the necessities that are not  able to be met by public transport nor personal vehicles, normally cater to a category of occasional trips such as trips to airports or rail stations with excessive baggage or emergency trips that have to be undertaken immediately and it is not possible to wait for public transport.

“For meeting the requirement, parastatal transport system should be introduced in the city. Share autos and mini buses should be introduced for meeting the requirements. The Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) will be preparing a feasibility study for introducing the share auto services,” said Kochi Corporation Town Planning Standing Committee chairman K J Sohan.

The Corporation had already mooted the idea of launching the share auto services in the city in its last year’s annual budget. The local body can only push forward the idea, but the final decision on launching the  service should be taken by the Motor Vehicles Department.

Meanwhile, experts said that along with the introduction of share auto services, the Corporation should also take steps to solve the parking issues.

 “The autorickshaw stands should be regularised and share autos should be launched connecting bus stops. Along with that, the traffic signals in the city should be electronically connected. By doing this, it will be easy to manage the traffic in an efficient way as the flow of vehicles can be managed evenly,” experts added.

Developing a para-transit system will also help in creating a better  feeder network to the proposed Kochi Metro.

“The Kochi Metro Rail Limited authorities are planning to introduce a single ticketing system so that a passenger will be able to travel in the train, then by bus or boat to reach his destination, all with the help of a single ticket.  He can even manage the ticket and his journey through his mobile phone. This advanced system is already introduced in other parts of the country. The same technology should be introduced here too,” experts added.

They also said that since the Motor Vehicles Act is rigid in certain areas, umbrella body like Unified Metropolitan Transport Authority (UMTA), which will coordinate the transport activities, should be formed for the city soon.

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