The state road transport corporation had launched its own chain service connecting Technopark with various city centres after banning Technopark Express – the park’s contract bus service.
And now, the corporation has abruptly stopped its service to Trippadapuram, where hundreds of techies — mostly women — reside, putting their safety in trouble.
These employees have no other option now but to walk in pitch dark to their hostels and apartments through an area notorious for anti-social elements.
Elana Mary, a regular commuter, said they had no alternative.”The autos are fleecing us; they charge Rs 48 for a distance of one-and-a-half kilometre. Since it is a deserted area, no one will help us if any issue occurs. The place is too dark. We can’t even see if there is a snake on the road.”
The KSRTC chain services on the Technopark-Kazhakoottam-Kariyavattom and Kazhakoottam-Technopark-Trippadapuram stretches were launched three months ago. Though KSRTC officials said the service was temporarily stopped owing to tarring works on the stretch, a conductor on the route said it was owing to less number of commuters.
Commuters said Technopark Express was punctual and quite useful. “They used to arrange alternative vehicles if there was any issue. Security personnel from Technopark used to accompany us.
The buses were available at 6.30pm, 7.20pm, 8pm and 8.15pm. However, KSRTC never followed a schedule. We always try to follow the last day’s schedule but it keeps changing, which led to less number of people opting for it. Initially they stopped three trips, and now the remaining trip, too, has also been cancelled,” Elana said.
Kazhakoottam regional transport officer had banned Technopark Express based on a complaint filed by KSRTC. The corporation had also filed a similar complaint against Techbus, a private Volvo service.
There are allegations now that the corporation has stopped some of its trips from Technopark to Peroorkada to help Techbus.
“Two services, with an average daily collection of Rs 3,000, were stopped to help Techbus. The Techbus authorities have now displayed their timings at bus stops and many believe that the timings are ours,” a corporation official said.
KSRTC chain services on the Kazhakkoottam-Technopark-Trippadapuram route, launched three months ago, have been halted
News: Times of India
