24-hour confusion

KOCHI: In spite of the decision taken by the mobility hub authorities to open the 24-hour long-distance services through the Vyttila mobility hub from Monday, confusion arose at the hub as the KSRTC bus operators said they haven’t yet received orders on this.KSRTC union member P S Salil said: “We have not yet received the official communication from the MD. Nor have any extra people been appointed to relieve us after our 8.00 pm duty today. We won’t be joining duty unless we get orders to do so.”But mobility hub authorities said: “The decision was approved by the KSRTC MD at the meeting two days ago. It is only a matter of issuing the orders. The services will soon be made available.”According to the decision taken by the Mobility Hub authorities at a meeting convened by Mobility Hub managing director M Beena two days ago, the 24-hour services would be introduced to mitigate the problems being faced by commuters.Circle Inspector S Aboobacker at the Mobility Hub aid post said: “In the past few days alone, many passengers had come over to me and said that the long-distance bus services which are available only till 8 pm was becoming a major problem. They come running to catch the last 7.50 bus and if they don’t get it, they end up being stranded.”As part of the plan, the long-distance buses which were plying till 8.00 pm will continue services throughout the night and the morning. Mobility Hub officials said: “This applies mainly for the KSRTC buses. Since the private buses don’t have much night services, only 10 of the long-distance private buses will be operating through the night. Also, a few more buses to the northern regions will be added.” Also, the pre-paid autorickshaw stand services and police aid services will also be operating throughout the night.