Goshree Island Residents in Kerala Get 14 Direct City Bus Services
Ending years of waiting, Transport Minister K. B. Ganesh Kumar officially launched 14 direct bus services connecting Vypeen and surrounding Goshree islands to various destinations in Kochi.
The new routes, comprising 10 KSRTC buses and 4 private buses, aim to improve public transport accessibility for islanders who previously had to switch buses to reach the city.
The flagged-off services include 28 trips to major hubs like Kakkanad, Vyttila, Fort Kochi, and Kalamassery Medical College. The minister also hinted at further expansion if the services prove profitable, stating:
“If these services run successfully, we’ll increase the number of KSRTC buses to 25.”
Also Read: This is the First Village in Kerala to Start Free Bus Service
Bridging a Long-Pending Gap
The Goshree bridges, built nearly two decades ago, physically connected the islands to the mainland, but seamless transport options remained a distant dream for residents. Until recently, only a couple of KSRTC buses ran on a trial basis.
Most bus services terminated at High Court Junction, forcing passengers to switch to other modes of transport to reach their final destination.
Efforts to introduce direct bus services had been ongoing for over three years, but multiple roadblocks—technical, legal, and traffic-related concerns—delayed implementation.
The breakthrough came in November 2023, when the transport department issued the final notification, completing the permit allocation process.
“We’ve been working on this for a long time. It required changes in rules, overcoming legal hurdles, and addressing traffic concerns,” said Vypeen MLA K. N. Unnikrishnan.
New Bus Routes from Goshree Region
The newly launched services will operate on the following routes:
Route Details
| Route | Key Stops |
|---|---|
| Kalamassery Medical College | Goshree Chathiyath Road, Lourdes Hospital, Chittoor Temple, Aster Medcity, Kalamassery HMT |
| Vyttila & Tripunithura | Kaloor, Kadavanthra |
| Kakkanad & Infopark | Kaloor, Palarivattom |
Timings of Key Services
- First bus: Departs from Mala at 5:00 AM, reaches High Court Junction at 6:30 AM, and proceeds to Fort Kochi.
- Last bus: Leaves Thoppumpady at 6:50 PM, reaches Ernakulam Boat Jetty at 7:20 PM, and proceeds to North Paravur.
- North Paravur – Kalamassery MC service: Departs North Paravur at 9:20 AM and returns from Kalamassery MC at 11:30 AM.
Also Read: KSRTC Bus Shortage: Over 2,200 Buses Scrapped Since 2016
Demand for More Services
While the new services bring relief to many, resident groups have called for further expansion. Under the current permit structure, private buses can operate only up to 25 km, restricting them to areas like Edavanakkad.
As a result, residents beyond this limit—including Pallipuram and Kuzhupilly—will continue to face transport difficulties.
“Four private buses are not enough. More direct services should be added,” said Rangadasa Prabhu, President of the Ernakulam District Residents Association Apex Council (EDRAAC).
As commuters welcome this much-needed connectivity, the success of the initiative will determine whether more buses and extended routes will be introduced in the future.
