I was back at the Vaikom Ferry terminal by around 7 AM.
The Vega departs from the old pier .
The "Vega 120" is a partly Air Conditioned fast ferry built by Navgathi Marine Design and Construction which also built a solar powered ferry "Aditya" which is among the ferries which operates the short hop on the Vaikom-Pallipuram route mentioned earlier from the adjacent newer pier.
The solar powered "Aditya"
And here is my ride for the day, the Vega 120.
As per media reports (Manorama Online) the Vega 120 has "two diesel engines of 340 hp each. Its top speed is 14 knots (25.9 kmph), while the regular service is conducted at 12 knots (22 kmph).Vega extends 25 m in length, 7 m in breadth and has a draft of 1.5 m. Its total weight is 24.56 tonnes".
The ferry seats 120 passengers. 40 can be accomodated in the AC section and 80 in the non AC section. The ferry also has bio toilets.
The AC cabin is configured 4 x 4 in 5 rows airline style replete with reclining seats and bottle holders.
The Non AC section is configured 3-4-3 in a double aisle lay out with seats you find similar to JnURM commuter Volvo buses in Kerala.
Both cabins have more than sufficient life jackets and fire fighting equipment and in the AC cabin I noticed that the hammers to break the emergency exit glass were in place. The emergency exits are clearly marked.There is a very basic snack bar on board. No wifi connectivity (it is planned) but mobile data network of both Airtel and Vodafone were good for almost the entire trip.
For entertainment (remember this is primarily a passenger ferry), music is played in both cabins but at sensible volumes.
We were off from Vaikom on the dot at 0730. The ferry has a couple of intermediate stops at Perumbalam Island and Panavally before it reaches Thevera Ferry around 9 AM and terminates at the main Ferry Terminal in Ernakulam at 0915.
The cost is a very reasonable Rs 40 in the Non AC section and Rs 80 for the AC section.
Tickets are purchased on board from the conductor.
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The ferry was only a third full when we left Vaikom.
Wayside vistas.
However the ferry but had good patronage from both Perumbalam Island which was reached around 0800 and Panavally by 0815.
The ferry terminal at Panavally which is the gateway to Perumbalam Island as well as to Poothota near Thripunithura in the suburbs of Ernakulam.
As we left Panavally, the ferry was quite full in the non AC section with local commuters.
The AC section was not well patronised. However according to the crew during the weekends, there are more passengers up front , mainly tourists.
By 0845 we were approaching the outskirts of Ernakulam.
Aroor Bridge on the NH Byepass
And when high rises appear you know that Kochi is around the corner.
By 9 AM, we were approaching the Thevara ferry, in the Kochi suburbs which is convenient for Willingdon Island. There are plans to extend the current Kakkanad-Vytilla ferry to Thevara to connect with the Vega service.
Approaching Thevara Ferry stop
And soon the journey's end. The busy Ernakulam main ferry terminus
And we berthed bang on schedule at 0915, the end of a most enjoyable trip.
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While at Ernakulam, the Vega does about six round trips to Fort Kochi , a far safer alternative than the regular ferries. Tickets are 10/20 Rs respectively in the two cabins one way.
Highly recommended for an "off the beaten track" experience of the backwaters. It is a hassle to reach Vaikom early in the morning but then Vega-120 is a commuter ferry and not a tourist service. Yet another praiseworthy initiative of the State Water Transport Department of the Kerala Government.
Another fast ferry (constructed by a different company) is expected to start services between Kottayam and Alappuzha in the coming months . Like the Vaikom- Ernakulam service . this one will operate short hops between Alappuzha and Kumarakam till the ferry returns back to Kottayam in the evening as per current plans.
Other SWTD options for economical cruises (but poorly patronised and publicised) are "See Kuttanad" - Rs 80 Round Trip from Alappuzha to the village of Kainakari and the "long haul" Tourist service which does the 8 hour run on the Kollam Alappuzha route and costs Rs 400. My travelogues on both these trips have been posted on Team BHP earlier and these services are still very much operational. However in Alappuzha as soon as you are in the vicinity of the boat station (near KSRTC bus stand) you will be besieged by touts trying to discourage you from these government run services and pestering you to take their much more expensive and in many cases much less safe private boats. I would suggest that if you are not very particular about ultra luxury, do take some of the SWTD services which will also help the organisation to become financially viable.