Kerala High Court Allows Impleadment Of Bus Operators’ Consortium | Directs Authorities To Consider Suggestions And Devise Effective Timetable For Smooth Operation Of Kochi Transport Buses
Isabella Mariam
The High Court of Kerala Single Bench of Justice Amit Rawal allowed the impleadment of My Metro Bus Services LLP, a consortium of 20 stage carriage operators on the Vyttila–Vyttila circular city route, as an additional respondent in a writ petition concerning regulation of bus timings in Kochi. The Court recorded concerns that the existing timetable compels buses to run on unrealistically short schedules, creating safety risks for passengers and pedestrians. It also directed the Regional Transport Authority (RTA) to evaluate all proposals, including AI-based scheduling, and finalise an effective timetable within three months.
The petitioners, consisting of several individual bus operators from the Perumbavoor region, raised issues of congestion, accidents, and scheduling conflicts due to overlapping routes. Respondents included regional transport officers, police authorities, and municipal entities such as Cochin Smart Mission Limited (CSML) and the Kerala State Pollution Control Board, impleaded during the proceedings.
During hearings, counsel for the newly impleaded operators suggested timetable revisions, citing short gaps that forced unsafe driving. The Assistant Commissioner of Police, through an affidavit, also sought modification of an earlier interim order on traffic signal management in Kochi. The amicus curiae added that traffic challenges peaked during rush hours and festivals like Onam, warranting broader reforms.
Justice Amit Rawal recorded that “This application has been filed on behalf of My Metro Bus Services LLP, comprising twenty stage carriage operators… seeking impleadment as respondent No. 8 in the aforementioned writ petition.” The Court noted there was no objection and directed the Registry to complete the process.
The Court further observed: “Sri. Sajeev Kumar K. Gopal, representing the aforementioned twenty stage carriage permit holders, has submitted a suggestion regarding the revision of the timetables for different routes… regarding the revision of stage carriage timings, prescribing a five-minute gap within city limits and a ten-minute gap within Panchayat limits.”
It added: “While there was a consensus that the current situation is problematic, there was no single, agreed upon path forward. Therefore, the RTA is required to consider the feasibility and implications of each proposal… further discussion and data analysis is required.”
On submissions made by KSBL, the Court recorded: “Adv. Nazrin Bhanu… submitted a revamping of the stage carriage timing system on AI based dynamic bus scheduling… keeping in view the traffic congestion on the basis of the data to be collected through AI so that the road blockages can be prevented.”
The Court directed: “the RTA [is] to take into consideration all these factors… for the purpose of coming out an effective time schedule for smooth running of transport buses in the city as early as possible but not later than three months from today.”
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Regarding traffic management, it referred to an earlier interim order, quoting: “At peak hours like in the morning between 8.30 to 10.00 and evening between 5 to 7.30, all the traffic lights should be put off and the traffic should be controlled manually by installing the traffic police personnel with walkie-talkies.”
“Accordingly, I modify the interim order dated 27.08.2025 and direct that the traffic police personnel deputed at the major traffic signal junctions… shall operate the traffic signal lights manually during peak hours… to control and regulate the heavy flow of vehicles during the said period.”
Finally, the matter was directed to be placed before the Hon’ble Chief Justice for appropriate allocation.
Advocates Representing the Parties:
For the Petitioners: M/S. Sajeev Kumar K. Gopal, Advocates
For the Respondents: M/S. P.M. Saneer & P.A. Shaji Samad, Advocates; M/S. E.K. Nandakumar, Amicus Curiae & Jai Mohan, Advocate; Sri. T. Naveen SC, Advocate; Smt. M.U. Vijayalakshmi, SC & K. Jaju Babu (Sr.), Advocates
Case Title: My Metro Bus Service LLP v. Joint Regional Transport Officer & Ors.
Case Number: WP(C) No. 13238 of 2022
Bench: Justice Amit Rawal
