It was in February 2020 that the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) had started a feeder bus service named ‘Pavan Doot’ between Aluva and Cochin International Airport Ltd (Cial).
Two AC electric buses were operated along the route with an aim to tap the airport passengers’ segment by providing last-mile connectivity to Kochi Metro.
Due to poor passenger turnout, KMRL withdrew one of the feeder services three months ago. Now, there are demands to operate ‘Pavan Doot’ as a circular service connecting more suburban towns in addition to Aluva and Cial.
The ticket rate for one-way journey of the feeder service is Rs 50. Other than the starting point and the destination there are no other stops for the service.
D Dhanuraj of Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) has said that the feeder service would be viable if it operates as a circular service connecting Aluva railway station, Angamaly and Vyttila Mobility Hub in addition to the airport and Aluva Metro station.
“The unscientific operation of the service was the main reason for its failure. If the service connects major towns in and around Kochi, it would be helpful to hundreds of commuters,” said Rajesh Nair of Kerala chamber of commerce and industry.
Biju John of V4Kochi organization has said that the current service connecting Cial with the Aluva metro station is not useful to many as most people wanted connectivity between the airport and the railway stations at Angamaly and Aluva.
CPPR Chairman Dr D Dhanuraj comments in a news article published in The Time of India on January 15, 2022. Click here to read
Dr Dhanuraj is the Chairman of CPPR. His core areas of expertise are in international relations, urbanisation, urban transport & infrastructure, education, health, livelihood, law, and election analysis. He can be contacted by email at [email protected] or on Twitter @dhanuraj.