Confusion still prevails among passengers regarding operation of short-distance buses from the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus terminal at Thampanoor. The KSRTC had announced last week that buses to Neyyattinkara, Poovar, Kattakada, Vithura, Nedumangad and Aryanad would be operated from the terminal after a gap of six years.
The situation after the announcement remains more or less the same with several of the buses to suburban areas still being operated from the Aristo Junction road and in front of Chaithram hotel. Out-station buses to Nagercoil and other parts of Tamil Nadu too are being operated from in front of the new terminal-cum-shopping complex, prompting commuters to wait for buses under the scorching sun.
‘Unaware’
“We are not aware of buses being operated from the terminal. Even on the past two days we have been boarding the bus from near Aristo Junction. Ideally, the KSRTC should have given publicity about operating buses from the new terminal in advance,” said Shiju, a student, who regularly commutes to Nedumangad.
When contacted, District Transport Officer A. Chandrasekharan Nair said the KSRTC had given clear instructions to drivers to take passengers to the suburban areas from inside the terminal. “The drivers might have stopped buses at Aristo Junction to allow passengers board the buses. We have given enough publicity,” he said.
Buses to suburban areas, except Attingal, are being operated from the three bus bays near the old Indian Coffee House building. Services to Attingal will continue to be operated from the RMS junction as services from there do not cause traffic hindrance.
“A survey conducted a few days ago shows that around 7.5 lakh people are boarding buses from the new terminal. The survey clearly shows that more number of people use the terminal after short-distance services were shifted to the terminal,” Mr Nair said.
News Source : The Hindu