Volvo buses glide despite traffic hitches

Volvo buses glide despite traffic hitches
The Times of India

Bangalore: They landed late, very late, but when they did finally land, the two flaming red Volvo buses were met with cheery cries from the over 600 passengers who used the services on Wednesday.

Two buses were operational on the route traversing Kempe Gowda bus terminus to Electronic City and vice versa. Both the buses commenced operations at 10.30 am from the Kempe Gowda bus stand instead of starting at 7.30 am as is the original schedule.

The very first journey to Electronic City had not more than 40 passengers from both the buses. The return journey saw the buses packed with 117 and 108 passengers.

There was a major hitch the Volvos had to contend with — interminable traffic jams leading to delays by over three hours. For instance a bus that was supposed to land at 5.05 pm in the evening, landed at 7.15 pm.

Throughout the day, a surveyor was deployed to travel on the route at different timings to take stock of the prevalent mood and situation. Traffic emerged the biggest problem — on Hosur Road alone, Volvos were held up for hours.

“The saving grace was that we were watching the Bommanahalli traffic in a bus’s air-conditioned comfort’’ said a passenger.

“Its hard to believe that despite the pathetic traffic situation, we now have such comfortable buses,’’ said another passenger who had to contend travelling standing. The heartening bit for the drivers and conductors — passengers who boarded the bus had bought sweets and distributed it on their maiden journey.