Public Transport Day: Call to promote mass transit to decongest roads

He underscored the need to improve the existing state of public transport to woo more and more people.
Representational image.
Representational image.

KOCHI: As part of the eighth edition of Kochi Public Transport Day - the initiative by city-based Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR)- Transport Commissioner K Padmakumar on Saturday travelled from Kacheripady to Chittoor by bus. A discussion was held at the Cheranalloor panchayat hall which dwelt on the possibility of a new route from Chittoor ferry via Container Terminal Road to Kalamassery Metro station.

K Padmakumar spoke of the importance of public transport in the city and Kerala. According to him, public transport while catering to the needs of 70-75 per cent of passengers accounts for a mere 18 per cent of the state’s vehicle density.

He underscored the need to improve the existing state of public transport to woo more and more people. If the members of the public submit a request for new bus routes from Chittoor to Kalamassery to the RTA it will be duly considered, the Transport Commissioner said.

Hibi Eden MLA said the district’s northern fringes still encountered acute connectivity issues. At present, people from Cheranalloor need to travel around eight km to Kacheripady to catch the connection bus to Kalamassery. He emphasised the need to introduce buses on these routes.  The commencement of Water Metro’s operations will give a facelift to the Chittoor ferry, he said.

Adv Ebenezer presented the proposal on the new route from Chittoor ferry via Container Terminal Road to Kalamassery Metro station. “Private buses are looking down the barrel here with around 1,200 buses suspending services. Metro is servicing the high-density North-South route, and it is high time the buses should be re-routed to the East-West route with Metro station as the central point “ he said.
 Sony Cheeku, Cheranalloor panchayat president, touched upon the connectivity problems encountered by the panchayat.

Making a difference
Kochi Public Transport Day has the backing of the Corporation, elected representatives, government departments and stakeholders in the city’s public transport system, including the KSRTC, KMRL, Water Metro, Private Bus Owners’ Association and Chambers of Commerce and Industry.

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