Vestibule bus low on popularity

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The city’s first ‘Vestibule Bus’ could do with some help from commuters. Passengers are shying away from boarding the 16-metre-long lone Vestibule Bus launched last March fearing that the fare is higher and that it would be slower than the conventional buses.It has become a common sight to see it lumbering along city roads with most of its 80-plus seats lying empty. KSRTC officials say that both apprehensions are not based on facts. The bus has the ordinary fare, according to the Peroorkada depot of the KSRTC which operates it, and it takes you to your destination as quickly as the other buses."Still, people think twice about boarding the bus,’’ a crew member said.The 16-metre bus plies on the East Fort-Medical College route and is operated by the Peroorkada depot. It was launched along with a new double-decker bus in March 2011.