Mixed reaction to Mobility Hub

KOCHI: A day after circular buses began to ply via the Vyttila mobility hub, the authorities concerned are of the opinion that traffic congestion in the city will ease.The results are already visible in Vyttila Junction, where the traffic blocks have reduced, since buses are stopping at the hub and not the junction.But the trouble with the new system is that passengers from Vyttila have to walk all the way to the hub from the junction in order to catch a bus, since the bus shelters near the mobility hub have been removed.Bus drivers of city buses complain that going to the hub affects their time schedule, since it takes at least 10 minutes to go around the Thammanam road underpass. “The extra time taken to reach the hub, especially when there is a traffic block, affects our timing at all the other bus stops. There is also a slight decrease in the number of passengers,” said Babu, a bus conductor.Some passengers who were not aware of the change were distressed.“This set-up has caused the buses to go on a round-about route that is creating problems for both passengers and bus operators. Since I was not aware of the change in the bus routes, I lost more than an hour waiting for a bus,” complained Shimi, a passenger.Moreover, the facilities promised at the hub will take a few more months to start functioning.As of now, the hub provides passengers with shelter from rain and the sun; but  lacks proper toilet facilities and an information centre.