Another Bus Day beckons Kochiites

KOCHI: The city is gearing up for yet another Bus Day to encourage people to use the public transport on Tuesday. Organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, it will be inaugurated by Transport Minister V S Shivakumar at 8 am at Fort Kochi by travelling in the low-floor AC bus of the KSRTC operating in the Aluva-Fort Kochi sector. The Minister will travel in the bus from Thoppumpady to Fort Kochi. District Collector P I Sheik Pareed, RDO Ramakrishna Pillai, actors Salim Kumar and Edavela Babu, and the lead stars of Malarvadi Arts Club will join the function.Mayor Tony Chammany, Deputy Mayor Bhadra Sathish, chairmen of the standing committees and councillors will reach Fort Kochi in another bus. The private buses operating in the circular Vyttila-Vyttila route will allow people to travel at Rs 5 instead of paying the actual ticket rate of Rs 8.50.Telecom company Uninor will distribute coupons to bus passengers offering them a chance to win free SIM cards.The Private Bus Operators Associations (PBOA) said that all efforts are being made to make bus travel a pleasant experience. MB Sathyan, treasurer, PBOA, said the private bus crew has changed a lot and most of them are cordial with the passengers.He said that passengers who have any grievances against the bus crew should contact PBOA at 2333332 or 9847042282.Sathyan also said that bus operators are facing a lot of problem while maintaining the time schedule due to traffic congestion from Palarivattom to Madhava Pharmacy Junction.This has forced buses to terminate trips at Thevara with permission from the RTO.KSRTC Zonal Officer said that they are taking all possible steps to run buses as per schedule.The officer said that normally the KSRTC buses are running as per schedule.