KOCHI: Aluva residents would reap the maximum benefit from the Metro, which will ply up to Palarivattom, as their travel time to the city would be cut by almost twenty minutes.
The commuters, especially IT professionals heading for Kakkanad, can now get down at Kalamassery or Palarivattom and reach the IT hub and district headquarters.
A random survey conducted by TOI revealed that many daily commuters from Aluva would be opting for the new mode of travel as it would be more comfortable and timesaving. A trip in the Metro from Aluva to Palarivattom will cost Rs 40 while a bus trip would cost around Rs 14 and an online taxi trip would cost Rs 190-220. The commuters can enjoy AC comfort and forget all about bumpy roads and traffic snarls.
According to Maneesh K, a regular commuter between Ernakualm and Aluva who works at a private firm, the best thing about Metro was that it would help him save lot of time.
“I have to travel to Ernakulum almost every day . Metro will help me reduce my travel time at least by 15 minutes. Moreover, the frequency is also higher than buses, allowing me to spend more time with my family members,” said Mahesh.
Metro trains are so frequent that one would never `miss’ a train. People can be sure of reaching their destination on time. They would be able to save more time and waiting endlessly for buses would be a thing of the past, he added.
“When low-floor buses were introduced many complained about the ticket rates. But their popularity never went down as it offers a comfortable journey . I hope Metro would also make our lives a lot easier,” he said. Another positive thing about the Metro was that it won’t be closed during protests and hartals, he added.
Abdurehman R, an Aluva resident was hopeful that the Metro would help resolve Kochi’s traffic problems but was apprehensive about the ticket rates. “A journey to Ernakulam and back will cost me Rs 80 and if I am travelling with my family , then it would cost me Rs. 320. Depending on the experience we would decide whether to opt for it,” he said.However, it is sure that I would take it often as it would me help me travel faster with comfort,” said Abdurehman.
Sasi Kumar, a daily wage labourer said the Metro was too expensive. “If I have to travel, I would still depend on the bus. Yes, it would save time but I would rather leave an hour earlier from home than spend an extra Rs48 per day .For me, what matters would be my savings, at the end of the day ,” said Sasi.
The setting up of the Metro station in Aluva has planted doubts in the minds of several people who depend on businesses allied with bus transportation. They are keeping their fingers crossed hoping that their businesses would not be hit.
“We are not worried that our business will drop. After all, the Metro connects to one particular point in Aluva.People would still need to travel in buses to get to their desired destinations,” said MV Kamaladharan, who works at a store in Aluva private bus stand.