Kochi Metro Rail Ltd (KMRL) is preparing to significantly expand its urban feeder transport system with the induction of more than a dozen additional electric buses.
According to The New Indian Express report, the next phase of expansion will focus on strengthening passenger connectivity between stations, terminals, and nearby residential or commercial areas, making daily transfers faster and more convenient.
"We will be looking to get about 15 to 17 electric buses. They will be rolled out to improve the link between our rail and water metro services, and to augment last-mile connectivity," an official was quoted as saying by TNIE. A tender process for procurement is expected shortly.
The expansion comes as the feeder network completes its first year of operations. The service was launched to address connectivity gaps that often discouraged commuters from using the metro or water metro for complete journeys.
Since its introduction, the network has grown to six routes operated by a fleet of 15 electric buses. Together, these services now cover nearly 2,300 km each day.
More than 15 lakh passenger trips have been recorded during the first year, indicating a strong public response to the integrated mobility model.
KMRL has continued to refine operations through route rationalisation based on commuter demand and travel patterns.
Alongside fleet expansion, the metro operator has introduced a digital analytics dashboard to monitor service efficiency.
The system combines fare collection data with vehicle telematics to track passenger numbers, revenue, payment preferences, and route performance in real time.
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