Kerala introduces amphibious buses after solar ferry

Monday, June 28, 2021

Kerala’s tourism sector is all set to introduce the amphibious bus service proposed by the state government. As we get from the name itself, these amphibious vehicles (also called duck bus) can travel over land as well as water, and have proved a booming attraction for the tourists abroad.

As per the recent reports, at first the buses will link Kochi, Kollam and Thalassery, helping tourists to travel through the backwaters.

To quote S. Vijayakumar, Secretary, Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council, he says that the buses are hoped to be a major hit with high-end tourists of cruise ships which berth in Kochi International Cruise Terminal at dawn and exit by evening. Tourists who select heritage tour of the city can save substantial time by travelling in these amphibious buses.

Also, Kerala has augmented its plans for a ‘green’ transport system. Kerala’s entire fleet of water transport boats will be modified to compressed natural gas, according to the reports.

Also, in 2017, Kerala was the first state in India to introduce the solar ferry boat in the Vembanad backwaters. Named ‘Aditya’, the 75-seater boat operates on the Vaikom-Tavanakkadavu route. In 2020, Aditya won the international award, Gustave Trouvé Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating in the category of ferries designed for paid passenger service.

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