Sky bus project - the Konkan railway dream : feasibility study of sky bus implementation in Kochi city

Abstract

Abstract The projcet first attempts to look at the imortance of urban transport and the issues involved in providing adequate urban transport facilities . It also briefly describes the financing mechanisms and regulations boverning the development of urban transport structures in developing countries. The report goes on to identify the requirements of an ideal mass transit system and compares existing urban transport systems with the ideal system based on a certain set of crteria . The Sky Bus project is compared with the above mentioned criteria to identify its potential as an efficient urban mass rapid transirt system. Its features and unique characteristics are studied and possibel thechnological modificaions suggested. The possible social and environmental impacts of the project are also indicated. Project financing is an important component of the implementation of any infrastructure project and the report has attempted to de a prelominary analysis of the costs involved in the project . The capital costs and annual recurring costs are taken into account. The detailed methodology of implementing a Sky Bus project in any city is also giben covering the legal administrative and operation tasks required. A study of the proposed Sky Bus system in Banglore is also covered.The similarities in nature of the twocities have also been studied in order to understand the possible social implications of the project in other cities. Unfortunately since the project has not yet been commissioned by the Government of Karnataka a Detailed study was not possible. Finally a feasibility study of Sky bus system in Kochi city has been conducted .The various routes have been analysed and the issues identified. The Sky Bus system is identified as a long term measure to reduce the traffic congestion in Kochi city as againest serveral short term and medium term measures identified in the report.