Kochuveli station remains remote

Thiruvananthapuram: A lone Volvo bus is all that State Transport Corporation despatches to take passengers who arrive at Kochuveli station on trains. Over ten years after being commissioned, public transport to city’s satellite railway station has not improved. Hundreds of passengers have to bank on a dozen fleecing auto-rickshaws each time the Volvo bus gets fully packed or turn up late due to technical issues. On the other hand, several local KSRTC buses pass through the bypass and nearby All Saints-VSSC Road with vacant seats.

“Eight buses which are part of new chain service between Pallithura and the city can deviate for five minutes and pick up passengers from in front of railway station. However, trains are always late. We are not adequately informed about timings by the railway. That’s the reason for not sending local buses there,” said a KSRTC official. Trains that terminate service at Kochuveli include those bringing passengers from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Delhi and Karnataka. The auto drivers pick passengers only if they are ready to pay heavily and travel longer distances.

As per unions, fleecing of passengers cannot be avoided at Kochuveli as drivers who are locals monopolise operations here.  “If buses heading to different routes like Kovalam, East Fort, Kazhakoottam and Thampanoor can touch the station, it can create wonders. All the KSRTC needs to do is to inform alighting passengers about the timing of the rerouted buses,” said Akhil M., a techie and a passenger. Divisional railway manager Prakash Bhutani said coordination with KSRTC would be improved and all efforts are being taken to help travellers. “Online taxis asked us to allow their counters at Thiruvananthapuram Central. Since there are protests from other drivers, we have asked them to concentrate their services on Kochuveli and Kazhakoottam. We are doing our best to promote connectivity of all means here. Station master is in touch with KSRTC regularly,” said divisional commercial manager.