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Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is making travel easier by introducing electric feeder buses on two new circular routes in the city. These routes will connect High Court-MG Road and Kadavanthra-KP Vallon Road, starting next week. The first route, High Court-MG Road, will begin on March 5, followed soon by the Kadavanthra-KP Vallon Road service. This expansion aims to improve connectivity, especially for passengers using the metro and water metro services.
Growing Demand for E-Feeder Buses
The e-feeder buses started service on January 15 and have already carried over one lakh passengers in just 40 days. These buses are air-conditioned and have 33 seats. Initially, they were launched on five routes, including Aluva-Airport and Kalamassery-Infopark. At present, nine out of the fifteen purchased buses are operational. The demand for these buses is increasing, with daily ridership now averaging 3,000 passengers. Some routes have seen a rise in commuters per bus from 40 to 220 passengers.
Better Connectivity for Commuters
The High Court circular route is expected to be very useful, especially for passengers traveling to Fort Kochi. This service will allow passengers to switch from the metro to an e-feeder bus and then take a boat from the High Court water metro terminal. The Ernakulam District Residents' Associations' Apex Council (EDRAAC) has welcomed this new route as a positive step towards better public transport.
Service Timings and Fares
The e-feeder buses will operate daily from 8 am to 8 pm, with buses running every 20 minutes. The fare is set at ₹20 for a distance of 5 km, making it an affordable travel option for passengers. The High Court circular service will cover important points like the High Court water metro terminal, MG Road, and Maharaja's College metro station.
Metro Connect Services Continue to Expand
Apart from the new routes, KMRL's Metro Connect services also include the Aluva-Airport section, which runs from 6.45 am to 11 pm. During peak hours, buses operate every 20 minutes, while during non-peak hours, they run at 30-minute intervals. This ensures that commuters have frequent and reliable transport options throughout the day.
The addition of these new routes shows KMRL's commitment to making travel easier and more efficient for the people of Kochi. By linking different transport modes like metro, buses, and the water metro, the city is moving towards a well-connected and eco-friendly public transport system.
The success of these e-feeder buses proves that convenient and accessible transport options encourage more people to use public transport. This helps reduce traffic congestion and pollution, making Kochi a cleaner and better place to live and visit.
