Kochi: The number of private city buses operating in Kochi has declined sharply over the past five years, with operators citing multiple challenges facing the sector.

Data show that while around 630 private city buses were in service on Kochi roads until 2020, the number has now fallen to just 480, a reduction of about 150 buses.

Bus owners acknowledge that the launch of the Kochi Metro has significantly impacted city bus services. However, they also attribute the decline to what they describe as frequent police harassment, judicial interventions and impractical regulations, which they say have made operations increasingly unviable.

"In addition to city buses, there has been a significant fall in the number of private buses reaching the city from the outskirts of Ernakulam district," said a bus owner. "Earlier, around 2,000 private buses from various places in Ernakulam reached the city. Their number has decreased to 1,200 – a fall of 40 per cent," the bus owner added.

Another factor that has led to fewer private buses on city roads is the younger generation's reluctance to enter the bus industry as a profession. "Youths don’t wish to become bus owners. The average age of bus owners in Kochi is now 60 years," said the bus operator.

Private buses in Kochi started witnessing fewer passengers after 2017, when the Metro was launched. "When 25 Metro trains conduct services for 16 hours, they are equal to 150 buses," explained the bus owner.

People with high incomes in Kochi were already travelling in their own vehicles before Metro launched operations. However, when residents in the middle-income group also preferred private vehicles, city buses became almost empty. "Even those earning less than ₹15,000 a month commute in two-wheelers now," pointed out the bus owner. Currently, the passengers in city buses are mostly women and guest workers from other states.

Amendments to the rules related to public carriers have also adversely affected the private bus industry. As per the latest rules, an application for a route permit can be submitted only for a new bus. "In the past, the normal practice of bus owners was purchasing an old bus and applying for a new route. A new bus was purchased only if the route earned profits," said the bus owner.

"Presently, a new bus will cost at least ₹40 lakh. No bus owner is willing to risk that amount for a new route," he added.

Facing an acute shortage of passengers, many bus owners are now avoiding trips and keeping their vehicles in the garage. However, none of them has surrendered the route permits. "Around 50 city buses resumed services when the government increased the bus fares," said an office-bearer of the Bus Owners’ Association.