Kochi: KSRTC on Monday launched the special feeder services for Kochi Metro, deploying 21 buses on a pilot basis from Aluva and Edapally stations. "Services were started from noon on an experimental basis. If there is demand, we'll deploy more buses (up to 40 buses). Low-floor non-AC buses were used in most of the services," said S.K. Suresh Kumar, KSRTC zonal officer (Ernakulam). The services from Aluva were held to Paravur, Angamali and Perumbavur while that from Edapally were to Vytilla, Thoppumpaddy and Fort Kochi (via Container Road).
"Though we're permitted to charge festival rates, the commuters need to pay only normal ticket charges. We've deployed inspectors at these two stations to determine whether there is enough passenger rush so as to deploy more buses. From Tuesday onwards the services will start from 5 am if there is demand," the official said. Further, the long -haul buses, including superclass ones, will halt before any of the Metro stations on request after 8 pm to provide last mile connectivity to Metro commuters.
KSRTC has also started operating special circular services from Aluva to Kalamassery Metro station via Ernakulam Medical College, aiming to provide cheap commuting options to hundreds of patients visiting Medical College, Cancer Centre and Start Up Village, among others. A service will also link Fort Kochi to the Medical College. KSRTC has also set up a WhatsApp Group 'KSRTC-KOCHI METRO FEEDER SERVICE' including all employees entrusted with the feeder service. "It will help in better deployment of service. For instance upon a lot of commuters waiting for bus at any particular metro station, a bus can be immediately deployed from there for operation," he said.
