RTA meet fails to decide on shifting of bus bays

KOCHI: The meeting convened by the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) on Saturday failed to take decisions on various issues, including shifting of bus bays at Vyttila to the Mobility Hub and entry of private buses into the city.It was owing to the protest from various quarters against these suggestions that the RTA could not come up with a decision in this regard.The traders from Vyttila opposed the shifting of bus bays."A meeting of the police authorities and the Deputy Transport Commissioner will be held later to take a final decision. The arguments of those who oppose the shifting of bus bays will be considered," RTO T J Thomas said.According to the authorities of Vyttila Mobility Hub Society, the shifting of bus bays is important to make its functioning effective.A decision could not be taken on the move to extend the service of 12 buses from Vypeen to BTH Junction as other bus owners opposed it. As of now, the private buses from Vypeen have to end their trip at High Court Junction. The bus owners from the island have already moved the High Court challenging the decision of the Motor Vehicles Department which refused to issue city permits. The court had asked the authorities to consider the plea of the bus owners.If the 12 buses are allowed to ply up to the BTH Junction, others will also come up with the same demand. So, the permits of the buses should not be extended, those opposing it argued.