KOCHI: Inching a step closer to making the dream of single-ticket journey a reality, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) signed a Joint Declaration of Intent (JDI) with seven private bus operating companies and Vinsca Electric Vehicles Pvt Ltd at the KMRL office on Thursday.The major aims of the JDI are to promote public transport in Greater Kochi and to deploy electric vehicles as feeders to public transportation systems. The JDI is signed under the ‘Seamless Transportation for Kochi’ - a public transport integration project initiated by KMRL.
It aims at bringing together the fragmented and competing modes of transport under one umbrella, restructuring them efficiently so that all low-capacity transit systems can act as a large network. In turn, the network will act as a feeder to the Metro Rail system or other mass rapid transit systems. People can then avail of seamless journey within the urban mobility area of Greater Kochi.As part of social responsibility, the project also aims to promote fully electric buses as the ultimate choice for public transport, and CNG-fuelled buses as an interim measure, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the city.
The project also envisions the building of an ecosystem where a well-organised autorickshaw network would be facilitated as the feeder to all public transport systems, including the Metro Rail, Bus Network, Water Metro and other planned MRTS networks, offering first/last mile connectivity. The electric vehicles are being rolled out with the help of Vinsca Electric Vehicles Pvt. Ltd, a company promoted jointly by Sibi Mathai, Sandith Thandasherry and Navgathi Marine Design.
The Co-ordination Committee of Private Bus Operating Companies (CBOC) is a joint forum of seven private bus operating LLPs, companies and societies conducting services in the Kochi Urban Mobility Area (Greater Kochi) and registered under relevant Acts. The CBOC is formed for the purpose of offering an efficient, adequate, economical and properly coordinated public transport system to the people of Kochi, through fleet-based operations.
The CBOC aims to promote public transport by joining hands with KMRL and any other public transport operators by improving the quality of services through multi-level interventions and providing the last-mile connectivity. Expediting the mode shift from personalised transport to public transport network is another area of focus. The JDI was signed by KMRL Director (Projects) Thiruman Archunan in the presence of KMRL MD Mohammad Hanish and Elias George.
Hitching a ride to future
JDI highlights
KMRL will integrate the city bus operations
Integrated Bus Time Table (IBTT)
GPS based Bus Tracking
Bus Journey Planner
Passenger Information System at bus stops and terminals
Bus Operations Control Centre (OCC)
Common smart card ticketing
Depot facilities.
Seven companies
included in CBOC)
Kochi Wheelz United LLP, Tripunithura
Perfect Bus Metro Service LLP, Palarivattom
Muziris Bus LLP, Paravoor
My Metro Bus Service LLP, Thammanam
Greater Cochin Bus Transport Association LLP, Pallikkara
Prateeksha Transport Operators Organisation Pvt Ltd., Vyttila
Kochi Metropolitan Transport Co-operative Society, South Paravoor.