KSRTC’s open-top double-decker bus to begin service in Kochi in a week

KSRTC's long-awaited open-top double-decker bus to begin services in Kochi, offering a unique mode of commute for tourists.

After many months of delay, the long-awaited open-top double-decker bus of the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) that was set to ferry tourists and others from the city to heritage locales in West Kochi would begin services in the corridor in a week, if everything goes as planned.

The double-decker bus — an initiative of the KSRTC’s budget tourism cell — was brought here from Thiruvananthapuram in the last quarter of 2024, soon after an open-top electric version was introduced in the State capital to operate ‘Nagarakazhchakal’, a city sightseeing tour. Subsequently, another glass-panelled bus began operating ‘Munnar Royal View’, offering a 360-degree view of tea plantations and high ranges in Munnar.

K.J. Maxi, Kochi MLA, said the double-decker bus would commence operations from the KSRTC bus stand and take guests all the way up to the Water Metro terminal at Fort Kochi through M.G. Road, Thevara, and Thoppumpady. “It would then return to the bus stand through Mattancherry. Being an open-top service, its operational hours would be limited to the 5 p.m.-10 p.m. time span, so that guests would not have to endure the scorching sun.”

Mr. Maxi attributed the delay in launching the service to low-lying power lines and cables in West Kochi, beyond Thoppumpady. After the issue was taken up, the KSEB raised most power lines that criss-crossed the road. But many private telecom and other firms are yet to do so, and it hampered vertical clearance, affecting a trial run that was done earlier this week. They have sought a week’s time to raise the cables. A few power lines too would have to be further raised since the height of the road increased at many places after they were resurfaced during the past couple of months, he added.

A senior KSRTC official said a few more trial runs would have to be done on the proposed route, so that guests would be able to stand up and take photos of locales on both sides en route.

The open-top double-decker bus can carry up to 50 people and is expected to become yet another unique mode of commute from the city to heritage locales in West Kochi, the others being Water Metro and State Water Transport department ferries.