Kochi: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is all set to start chain services using non-air conditioned low floor buses in the Angamaly-Ernakulam Jetty section, a move that ignores the demand for better connectivity to the Kochi international airport.
"The measure is as part of judiciously rescheduling services in high demand routes," said a senior KSRTC official. "Now passengers can avail ordinary buses in the Angamaly-Ernakulam Jetty section every half an hour from 6 am to 6 pm. During peak hours, the frequency will be 20 minutes. For this we've readied the low-floor non-AC JNnuRM buses."
The services will connect to the newly-introduced super fast KSRTC chain services via MC Road and NH at Ankamali which will enable air passengers reach all parts of the state through public transport.
Passenger associations have been demanding introduction of adequate bus services to the airport rather than in a route where passengers have alternative options such as Kochi Metro or private buses. They point out that the Chill Buses and Fly buses to the airport operated by the corporation are inadequate to meet the demand, especially during night.
Currently, there are just three ordinary services via airport from Angamaly station at 7 am, 9 am and 5 pm.
"Kindly introduce round the clock chain services from Ankamali bus station to the airport through NH connecting Ankamali railway station and Athani junction and back as it will help passengers and staff avail cheaper mode of transport to and fro airport," said P. Krishnakumar, general secretary, Thrissur Railway Passengers Association in his memorandum submitted to the KSRTC authorities.
The Karnataka Road Transport Corporation is successfully running dedicated services from the Bangaluru airport. "The Kerala RTC can follow the model and even introduce premium services," he said.
