Thiru Kochi crew - Sheep in middle of wolves?

I had been to Fortkochi yesterday evening for some official matters. In the bus stand was a lone Thiru Kochi bus surrounded by more than 15 red devils.


I decided to have a look and it turned out to be the ever beautiful RNA 302, running Aluva-Fortkochi. Aluva built buses are really the best of the lot, considering the body shape and interiors.


In the distance were the crew, easily identifiable with the rack in conductors hand. They were sort of fish out of water. The private crew were all sitting and chatting at a nearby tea stall, some were smoking openly. So I decided to have a chat.


The conductor was from Ponkunnam, and driver was from Vytilla. Since there were not enough conductors at Ernakulam, many probationers were brought from outside, like Ponkunnam, Thalassery, Malappuram etc. They knew very less about the Kochi routes and fare stages. For this person, it was his first assignment outside Kottayam dist. Hardly any training was given to them. The ticketing software is not fully ready. So they are using the old racks. Confusion prevail at the maximum. Depot provide change in the morning but it is exhausted in the first trip itself, leaving the conductors in great trouble.


Then came the bedeviling moment. We got inside the bus and started it. There were just two ladies inside (conductor said they get a lot of lady passengers due to the ill treatment of red devil crew). And an old man also got in. Suddenly, a group of private crew came and asked "Entha pokan samayamayilley?". Driver replied that we are waiting for another KSRTC bus to come so that there will be atleast one bus everytime in the stand. Private guy said "Stand vittu poda ***** (bad words not tolerable"). Then came some men and the KSRTC bus picked them. Private crew continued "Njangalkku bus polikkan pattum, athu cheyilla. Nee ividam vittu poyillankil ninte kaal odikkum. Veetil kayari veetu karey thallum. Ninakke bharyayum pengalum undallo alley?"


Hearing all these I was stunned. Never heard such bad words in my life. Driver said "Pokame.". It seems the Private bus was in the same route, few minutes behind the KSRTC. He said to me "Look, this is the kind of treatment we get at each and every bus stand. Thats why we dont mingle with them. We stay away. If we go near, we may get beaten. We are here to do our job. Yesterday they threatened one driver that they will cut his legs. We know that is just a mock drama and it will not happen. But who will support us if it really turn true? KSRTC authorities will not even turn back and look. To make matters worse, 50% of private buses in Kochi are owned by Muslims from Aluva and Kakkanad. They are using names of PDP and PFI to threaten, saying they will cut our legs, hand etc. They are always saying they will not touch the bus and get into case. Rather they will handle us and our family!!" I felt so sorry hearing to the issues.


It seems even the petti kada and police are supporting these bad tempers. The change gets over in the first trip. The conductor goes on begging the nearby stores for change, but no one gives any. They give change lavishly to private conductors. So these KSRTC conductors are facing the passenger's wrath since no change is given back. As a desperate measure, they run to Aluva railway station and get coins from the change vending machine. Luckily, this bus touches Aluva KSRTC stand. So they get help from the felow employees there. But private crew make trouble with driver they wait too long at the bus stop, while conductor hunts for change. The policeman stabled at the bus stand too ask the driver to move. Corporation and muncipality authorities too dont like the Thiru Kochi services. They are promoting JNNURM instead.


Okay now, the bus started, I was in my car. I decided to have a ride. The bus body may not be that noce but the comfort is. Ample leg room, nice airy design, nice cushion, etc etc. I took a ticket till Thevara, but got out in the next stop.

Posted By Jimmy Jose In KSRTC Community