Kerala to Introduce Amphibious Buses Soon

The tourism sector in Kerala is looking forward to the introduction of the amphibious bus service proposed by the state government. As the name suggests, these vehicles (also called duck bus) can travel over land and water, and have proved a successful tourist attraction abroad.

According to latest reports, initially the buses will link Kochi, Kollam and Thalassery, enabling tourists to travel through the backwaters.

Media reports quoted S. Vijayakumar, Secretary, Ernakulam District Tourism Promotion Council, as saying that the buses are expected to be a hit with high-end tourists of cruise ships which berth in Kochi International Cruise Terminal at dawn and leave by evening. Tourists who opt for a heritage tour of the city can save substantial time by travelling in these buses.

Kerala has also stepped up its plans for a &lsquogreen&rsquo transport system. According to reports, Kerala&rsquos entire fleet of water transport boats will be switched to compressed natural gas (CNG).

Kerala was the first to introduce the solar ferry boat way back in 2017 in the Vembanad backwaters. Named &lsquoAditya&rsquo, the 75-seater boat operates on the Vaikom-Tavanakkadavu route. Last year, it won the international award, Gustave Trouvé Award for Excellence in Electric Boats and Boating in the category of ferries designed for paid passenger service.

Read Kerala Boat Wins Coveted Global Award