This ain’t the Volvo bus

This ain’t the Volvo bus
Wednesday May 16 2007 10:22 IST

BANGALORE: The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has launched non- airconditioned grey-coloured Volvo buses. Wait before you say ‘hurray!’ Only the body of the bus resembles a Volvo, the engine is ordinary.

Grey-coloured Volvo-type bus (Route no 171) has been on the road for the past two days, plying between Kempe Gowda Bus Station (KBS) and Koramangala.

Koramangala depot manager Puttaswamy said that the bus had 47 seats as against the standard 37 seats of the Volvo bus. Like the Volvo bus, this one too has LED route display and luxury ergonomical seats.

Prasanna Kumar, conductor of the bus said that the fare is the same as that of the ordinary ‘Parisara Vahini’ bus and will admit all pass-holders too. ‘‘The bus will be getting FM radio very soon,’’ he added. Chandrappa, a driver said that there is no difference in driving ordinary and the new greycoloured bus.

‘‘This bus stands out on one factor — it will not move before its doors are locked. This assures the safety of the passengers and discourages footboard riding,’’ he said.

However, Sunil, a commuter said: ‘‘Earlier, I did not get into the bus assuming it to be a Volvo bus, in which the tickets are expensive. Its looks will deceive most people. Looks notwithstanding, the bus has no proper ventilation and a ride in it is no pleasure.’’

According to a BMTC official, the bus, which is 34-ft long has cost them Rs 12.5 lakh, while the 38-ft Volvo bus cost them Rs 74.5 lakh.

‘‘Indian chassis has low cooling effects and installing airconditioning in such buses will not help. The quality of the Volvo bus is higher than that of the BMTC chassis and therefore airconditioning suits the Volvo better,’’ the official told this website's newspaper.