Kochi: The new Maharajas Coll-ege Ground-Thykoodam Metro line resulted in increased footfalls for Kochi metro.
However, those hailing from eastern parts of Ernakulam are complaining about the lack of last mile connectivity facilities, especially at night.
“Now more people are using public transport instead of private or hire vehicles to traverse to the city and back. A majority of them are women commuters who travel in the modern transport system to arrive at Vytilla or Thykoodam stations even at late evenings. However, there are few private or KSRTC buses plying to destinations like Mulant-huruthy or Vaikom after 8 pm,” said Smitha Rajesh, a resident of Piravom.
While private bus operators allegedly refrain from operating schedules after 8 pm,
KSRTC authorities took no steps to meet the increased demand post commencement of metro services in the new section.
When contacted an RTC official said they have started chain services in the Vytilla-Vaikom section and that more services to others eastern destinations would be introduced after assessing the “demand”.
“The metro authorities should introduce feeder services to Tripunithura town from Thykoodam. Also currently many of the buses from destinations like Kakkanad and Perumbavur end trips at Tripunithura. The same should be extended to Vytilla Hub to provide last mile connectivity to people living in the eastern parts. It will also do good for passengers if limited service buses are allotted a stop at Thykoodam,” said V.C. Jayendran, convener, Tripunithura Rajanagari Union of Residents’ Associations.
“The authorities should also provide proper lighting at Thykoodam station and deploy police personnel outside the station as a lot of women passengers are travelling to and fro from the station even late in the day,” said Dr Sanal Kumar, a regular metro commuter and a resident of Pettah.
