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Even though clear signboards were installed nearly a month ago announcing that the bus stop in front of the Town Hall metro station has been shifted to a waiting shed near the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) office, many people are still confused about where to wait for buses.
Kochi Metro Bus Stop
The Kochi city police moved the bus stop to reduce traffic congestion in the area. This location often sees heavy traffic, especially during peak hours, with long lines of vehicles coming down the Ernakulam North overbridge from Marine Drive and those entering from SRM Road. However, the plan has not worked as expected. Most private buses continue to stop in front of the metro station because commuters are still waiting there. A police officer stated that the measure was important but has not yielded the desired improvement.
Issues Regarding Bus Stops
According to the traffic police, buses and autorickshaws usually stop wherever they see a crowd. Since many passengers continue to wait near the metro station entrance, drivers stop there for convenience. Commuters also prefer boarding buses at the metro station, without considering how it adds to traffic problems.
A traffic officer posted at the spot explained that during the day, when police are present, buses usually avoid stopping at the restricted area. Officers regularly ask people to move to the designated bus stop near the RBI office. However, many commuters move only a short distance and stop midway, causing buses to halt between the metro station and the RBI gate, which again leads to congestion.
Assistant Commissioner Mohamed Nizar said the bus stop in front of the RBI office is not new and has always been the official location. Over time, regular boarding near the metro station unofficially shifted the stop.
Although a traffic officer is currently managing the area, the problem returns once the officer leaves. Officials say public awareness and cooperation are crucial. At the same time, commuters near the RBI office face space issues, as crowds block the entrance and cause inconvenience.
