Integrated Urban Transportation Policy: A Study of Kochi Metro and Vyttila Mobility Hub in Kerala, India

Abstract

Integrated infrastructure has been considered the key to the development of the urban transport system. Studies have rarely focused on the benefits and issues related to the urban integrated transport system, including mobility hubs. The present study attempts to analyze different aspects concerning the urban integrated infrastructure with a special focus on the Kochi Rail Metro and the Vyttila Mobility Hub in Kerala. The study reveals that 41 percent of commuters rely on Hub and Metro for occupation-induced traveling, followed by education (28 percent) and health (20 percent). It is revealed that the existing fare of Kochi Metro does not appear to be attractive to passengers. Almost 90 percent of passengers consider fares as not reasonable. Most of the commuters of Metro Train services and Mobility Hub share the view that these are ‘inclusive.’ The most noteworthy aspect of Metro and Hub is that they are eco-friendlier and sustainable. However, as an integrated infrastructure mode, it has to travel a long way yet. The study shows that the metro rail services must be accessible and affordable to the people. The study suggests that metro authorities need to make policy decisions to rationalize the fare rates in accordance with different parameters to attract more passengers to the Metro services. As the commuters from the city area are averse to using the metro services, steps need to be taken to encourage the urban passengers to use the metro services.