More cost and less comfort makes travel, a trouble. In Kozhikode and suburban places, private buses dominate the transportation sector. Canceling trips by private buses without prior notice, lack of affordable alternatives, broken roads and insufficient train services add fuel to the fire. Motorbike and small segment car market are the indirect beneficiaries of this situation, amidst sky rocketing fuel prices. The end result is a hike in volume of vehicles on road that makes traffic congestion due to lack of adequate infrastructure. The transport sector in Calicut has truly become a vicious circle.

Bus fare has been hiked in Kerala. A minimum journey costs Rupees five. When compared to neighboring states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, bus fare in Kerala is two or three times bigger. But unlike these states, public transportation in Kerala is controlled by the private operators. 

Travel in the city or remote villages, transport system mostly depends on private buses or taxis. In Malabar region, the domination of private operators is more severe. Although, the number of buses has increased in major routes like Kannur - Kozhikode, Thrissur - Kozhikode, etc travel in North Kerala is a nightmare.

Private system target maximizing passengers even beyond its safety concern and double their collection in just one trip. The unexpected cancellation of trips put travelers in difficulty; especially ladies and children; that too during odd hours.

 “People arriving from distant cities and suburban areas have to wait for long hours to catch a bus and reach the destination.”-says Balakrishnan a regular night passenger.

Private operators limit their service to peak hours ensuring maximum profit. Without proper notice they either cut their trips partially or fully without any concrete reason. The situation becomes intense as major roads are pathetic with deep pits like man-holes. The sufferer is common passenger.

KSRTC can’t stand pose as a strong substitute or competitor to private commuters. The main challenge being faced by the KSRTC is its old buses, out of which many are in workshops. The less significant presence of state owned KSRTC buses help private players to exploit passengers more.

The contradiction is that there doesn’t appear to be any shortage for staff neither at KSRTC Operating centers nor its offices. But on the roads, where the actual work is executed, there is a limit with less than minimum staff compared to private buses. In a KSRTC bus there is only a driver and a conductor. In some long route buses, automatic control of the entrance gives extra load to driver. Whereas manning at the entrance front and rear, becomes a burden for the conductor. In private buses these are attracting factors, especially for old citizen, ladies and kids.

Ultra modern low floor buses, moving in developing cities are still a daydream to Calicutans. (People of Calicut).

“Timely planning of service and technical help and releasing of new hi-tech buses will help the state owned transport giant to make up its reported loss of maintaining a huge staff and supporting system.” suggest Suneesh T.K, an entrepreneur and regular traveler in this route.

 In trains or buses common passengers are mostly a neglected lot. In spite of all reforms, there is no end for their decade’s long trouble.

When bus travel becomes tedious between Kannur and Kozhikode because of the poor road condition, many passengers opt for trains in this route. But the railway is not providing adequate facilities to passengers and this cause heavy rush in long and short distant trains.

Passenger’s Association has alleged the present system of transportation.

While Southern Railway is still focusing on long distant and fast trains, benefit for local passengers in Malabar is negligible.

 “Many trains have no stop between Kannur and Kozhikode. There are two main stations at Koyilandy and Vatakara. Once new trains get approved, the railway authorities are least supportive to act in favor of maximum number of train passengers. We need more local trains between Kannur and Kozhikode, similarly between Kozhikode and Shoranur.” –says Kozhikode District Train Passengers Association.

While people are fed up with the traditional transport system that pays little attention to passenger’s comfort and safety, they are turning to bike and car markets, which aggravate travel trouble and threatens environment.

Road condition in Kozhikode

Road condition in Kozhikode

Road condition in Kozhikode

Scene inside train in Kozhikode

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