Thiru Kochi Buses Flagged Off

Putting an end to the monopoly of private buses in the city, KSRTC started 50 buses in the city. Transport Minister Jose Thettayil flagged off the 50 buses which have been named as ‘Thiru Kochi’ at a function held in Kochi on July 16.

32 buses would operate from Ernakulam depot and the remaining 18 would operate from Aluva depot. Thus there would be a Thirukochi bus in the Ernakulam-Aluva route every 10 minutes and every 30 minutes in other routes.

“It was after considering the long-standing demand by the Kochiites that the KSRTC decided to start its city services. The people here had been at the receiving end of the frequent strikes and rude behaviour of the private bus workers,” Thettayil said.

Mayor Mercy Williams called upon members of the public to utilize the new city buses, so that there is less number of two-wheelers and cars on the roads. “These services would boost public transport in Kochi since the private buses in service are overcrowded.”

Apart from saving time, money and reducing pollution, this would also save considerable amount of fuel. Passengers of these buses who want to reach the city hub can rely on the Thirukochi city buses, which would act as feeder services to the city. More AC and non-AC buses would be introduced in Kochi.

The buses would also conduct service in the Ernakulam-Cusat and Ernakulam-Ponekkara routes.

The buses would ply a total of 233 trips daily, of which 123 would be in the Ernakulam-Aluva route.

The following are the list of 18 routes of the Thirukochi buses. 

Aluva-Aroor temple (buses would ply through both Padma and Menaka, Thopumpady, Edakochi); 

Aluva-Fort Kochi (through Padma/Menaka, Thopumpady); 

Aluva-Poothotta (Padma/Menaka, Vytilla, Tripunithura); 

Aluva-Chottanikkara (Padma/Menaka, Vytilla, Tripunithura); 

Ernakulam-Thevara-Pookattupady (Padma/Menaka, Kaloor, Edapally, Kalamassery); Thevara-Eloor ferry (Menaka, Kaloor, Edapally, Kalamassery); 

Thevara-Aluva (Menaka, Edapally, Kalamassery, Mupathadam, Kadungaloor); 

Aluva-Kumbalam North (Menaka, Vytilla, Kundanoor);

Ernakulam-Kumbalanghi-Kakkanad (Thopumpady, Perumpadaph); 

Ernakulam-Mattancherry (Thopumpady, Menaka); 

Thevara-Cheranaloor (Menaka, Edapally); 

Thripunithura-Cheranaloor (Menaka, Chitoor); 

Ernakulam-Kannamaly-Amritha Hospital (Thopumpady, Menaka, Kaloor, Edapally); 

Thevara-Cooperative Medical College (Menaka, Edapally, HMT); 

Ernakulam-Panangad-Kakkanad-Infopark (Padma, Vytilla, Kundanoor, Madavana); 

Ernakulam-Kakkanad-Wellingdon Island (Menaka/Padma, Naval Base); 

Thripunithura-Thripunithura circular (Eroor, Vennala, Alinchuvadu, Kaloor, Menaka) 

Aluva-Manjummel-Thripunithura (Padma, Edapally, South Kalamassery, Glass Factory).