KOCHI: Gear up to welcome the double decker KSRTC buses to be introduced in Kochi. The authorities with the Motor Vehicles Department are busy taking measures to complete all the procedures for starting the service in February itself.Earlier, ‘expresso’ had reported about starting double decker buses from Kochi.
The bus is being introduced as part of an effort to vitalise the public transport system. “The bus will be an attraction. We will be able to woo more people to use the public transport system,” Transport Minister Jose Thettayil said.
“It is a continuation of our efforts to strengthen the public transport system, and we expect to attract tourists as well,” he said. The double decker bus for Kochi, which costs around Rs. 33 lakh, has arrived in the KSRTC garage in Aluva.
The bus is likely to conduct circular service in the city. Though the Motor Vehicles Department in the district had explored the possibilities of various routes to start the service, none of these routes could be finalised as the overhead cables laid by KSEB, BSNL and various cable TV operators are a hindrance. “We looked into the possibility of introducing the service in Fort Kochi, Island and Mattanchery. The overhead lines of Telecom and KSEB along these roads make it difficult for us to conduct service through these routes,” the Minister said.
The fare will not be higher than in ordinary KSRTC buses, the authorities said. Another double decker bus will start service in Thiruvananthapuram, too. The double decker buses which had been in service in Thiruvananthapuram until 2006 stopped service after the 15-year permit ended. The KSEB authorities claimed that the service there was a success.
The A/C low-floor buses introduced in Kochi have touched the break-even level. “Our priority was not to generate profit. Most of the days the low-floor buses in Kochi are generating `48 a km which is required to conduct the service without loss,” Thettayil said.