KOCHI: Lack of KSRTC bus services from the Ernakulam Junction railway station to various parts of the city, has become one of the biggest problems faced by the travellers.The thousands of passengers who alight at the Ernakulam Junction feel that the KSRTC officials have been insensitive to the issue of providing at least one bus for travelling to their work places.The passengers of Ernakulam-Kayamkulam Express, Shoranur-Ernakulam Express and Kottayam-Ernakulam Express, who alight at the stations in the morning hours, are the worst-affected. “For years, we have been boarding trains that stop at the Ernakulam Junction. We have to depend on autorickshaws that travel without meters. We are being robbed of our money most of the time by the auto drivers. Neither the KSRTC officials noor the Railway authorities have heeded to our request to provide a bus service from the station,” said Mahesh K, a passenger.If the KSRTC buses can be deployed to the railway stations during the Sabarimala season, the authorities can easily do it on a permanent basis. “Once the pilgrimage season is over, the issue is forgotten,” Rajendran, another passenger said. According to passengers, most of the other stations in the state have either KSRTC stations or stops close to the railway stations. “At times when there is heavy traffic, it is impossible to walk a kilometre to board a bus. For a station that has a huge passenger flow, it is sad that this issue has not been brought to the attention of the authorities," Rajendran said."The issue can easily be solved if the Collector, KSRTC officials, railway authorities and the Police Commissioner sit together and discuss it. However, nobody seems to be interested in solving the problem,” Rajendran added.Passengers Association Member Mathew Paul said: It is not that the authorities are not aware of the problems being faced by the public. We have brought this to their attention quite a few number of times, but to no avail. The issue has to be addressed seriously.”District Transport Officer Jose said: “We feel that at the moment there is no need for the KSRTC services to start services from there as so many private buses are plying close to the station. Also, right now, we do not have the facility to deploy buses to the railway station.""We are waiting for 100 buses that are to be introduced as part of the Thiru Kochi servcies. If the passengers submit a request, the demand will be considered,” Jose added.
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