Kochi Metro attracts more passengers

KOCHI: As the Kochi Metro has reached the city centre with the opening of the second reach from Palarivattom to Maharajas, there has been a considerable increase in the number of passengers. Many commuters travelling along the congested Palarivattom – MG Road have shifted to the Metro. The Metro ticket fare along this route is only Rs 10 while the bus fare is Rs 7. Private bus operators are worried over the dip in the number of regular passengers and daily revenue collection. Private buses operating in the Aluva – Ernakulam route registered more than 30 per cent dip in daily revenue collections.

“When the Aluva – Palarivattom Metro stretch was opened for traffic, very few passengers migrated to it due to lack of connectivity with the city centre. Now, when the commercial service started along the second reach, a huge number of regular passengers shifted to the Metro, considering the comfort and less time taken especially during peak time. It is the short distance passengers – Rs 7 and Rs 9 tickets – who mostly use the Metro as the minimum charge is only Rs 10,” said M.B Sathyan, state president of Private Bus Operators Association.

There are more than 160 private buses operating on the Aluva – Ernakulam route and more than 40 buses in the Eloor – Ernakulam route.  The 200 buses operating here would face a crisis in the coming days as more commuters will migrate to the Metro system, he added. The bus operators are planning to meet the Chief Minister and Transport Minister seeking immediate measures including subsidy in fuel and road tax to save the city bus service.