The public transport system in Kochi, India, is all set to enter the Wi-Fi era. To ensure smooth and effective integration of the public transport system, the Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) has initiated a pilot project to coordinate information from all modes of transport.
The Metro agency has installed GPRS-enabled devices in Kerala Urban Road Transport Corporation (KURTC) buses which will help to locate them, provide real-time information on arrivals and vacant seats while ensuring Wi-Fi facilities for passengers throughout the journey.
“The system will be implemented in two phases. In the first phase, we will provide Wi-Fi services to passengers as well as track the buses. In the next phase, the real-time services like providing information regarding the arrival of buses at each point, number of seats vacant when a bus reaches a given stop, etc. will be available,” an official with KMRL said.
“The pilot project is expected to be completed in a month. After analysing the data during the period, we will modify the project and extend it to other buses, including private buses,” the official said.
With Wi-Fi routers, KMRL is also hoping to ensure better coordination among ferry, train and bus services. Gradually, the timings of bus, ferry and Metro trains will be scheduled based on data generated by the system.
