Hubs go immobile after 9 PM

KOCHI: Though the Vyttila Mobility Hub has started functioning 24x7, the desired result of the facility is yet to be attained as KSRTC buses are not operating from the hub at night. With only a few private buses operating at night, the hub has become totally inactive after 9 pm. Now, the long-distance KSRTC buses are entering the hub only between 8 am and 8 pm.The Vyttila Mobility Hub Society authorities said the KSRTC should consider the gravity of the issue and take necessary steps to start more services through the hub during night time.“The decision to shift the operations of the KSRTC services to the hub was taken unanimously by the Mobility Society Hub authorities and the KSRTC. However, later the KSRTC authorities informed us that the services cannot be diverted to the hub during night time as the passengers from West Kochi will suffer due to the new arrangement,” said Vyttila Mobility Hub managing director M Beena.She said the primary aim of the hub was to act as the centre point which can meet the travel requirements of Kochiites. “In order to make it successful, we need to offer better connectivity between the hub and the city. We hope the KSRTC would soon start more services to the hub,” she added.Beena said the KSRTC can either start more Vyttila-Vyttila circular services during night time or can extend the long-distance buses which end their journey at Ernakulam to the hub.“For instance, a bus coming from Thrissur to Ernakulam can first enter the hub and then go to the KSRTC stand. Likewise, a bus from Thiruvananthapuram or Kollam to Ernakulam can extend its service to the hub after entering the KSRTC stand,” she added.Beena said the same issue was there when the new system was introduced in the day time too. “Now, it is the KSRTC authorities who have to decide on the alternative plan.  We are planning to convene a high-level meeting soon to discuss a proper plan to solve the issue,” she added.