Kochi Water Metro Ltd (KWML) is gearing up to expand its fleet with the delivery of three additional electric hybrid boats from Cochin Shipyard Ltd (CSL). This addition comes as part of a broader effort to enhance the frequency of services on Kochi’s growing water metro network. CSL, which received an order for 23 electric hybrid boats for the project, has already delivered 17, and the remaining three are expected to be delivered in the coming days.
Currently, the Kochi Water Metro operates boats on five routes, connecting different parts of the city, including the recently launched High Court-Fort Kochi route. The introduction of these three new boats will help increase the frequency of services across various routes, reducing long queues at terminals, especially during peak hours. In fact, the frequency on the Fort Kochi route has already been reduced to 15 minutes between services, and the availability of additional boats will further enable the operation of unscheduled services during high-demand periods. The fleet expansion is a crucial move for KWML as it looks to meet the increasing demand for water-based public transport in Kochi. The electric hybrid boats, which are part of the city’s sustainable transport initiative, offer an eco-friendly and efficient alternative to traditional modes of commuting. As the service gains popularity, the goal is to ensure smoother, more reliable services for commuters.
However, not all routes are experiencing the same level of success. The South Chittoor route, for instance, has seen a lukewarm response. This is primarily due to poor last-mile connectivity and irregular service intervals. Currently, only four services operate on this route, highlighting the need for better infrastructure and more consistent services to attract passengers. As the delivery of more boats continues, the Kochi Water Metro aims to not only improve the overall service frequency but also address challenges like last-mile connectivity to create a more efficient and accessible public transport network for Kochi’s residents. With more boats on the water, the initiative is set to become an increasingly vital part of the city’s transportation landscape, reducing congestion and offering a greener alternative for commuters.
