Volvo on the run

Volvo on the run


A new 52-seater Volvo bus launched by KSRTC at Shanthinagar bustand in Bangalore on Thursday.
Express News Service First Published : 25 Sep 2009 04:43:00 AM ISTLast Updated : 25 Sep 2009 07:38:03 AM IST
BANGALORE: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) on Thursday launched two world class multi-axle inter-city passenger Volvo buses, adding another milestone in terms of passenger comfort.
The first two buses were launched by Transport Minister R Ashoka at KSRTC Central Offices on KH Road. The buses, specially designed to suit Indian conditions, have greater seating capacity, comfort and ensure noiseless smooth journey to travellers on long-distance routes.
Launching the buses, Ashoka said that the Volvo Buses India Private Limited had offered two such multi-axle buses to KSRTC on a free trial operation for three months. “Initially, these two buses were operated on the Bangalore- Mysore route and thereafter, we have extended the trial operation on the Bangalore-Chennai inter-state route,” he added.
He informed that KSRTC has specially trained its drivers to run the multi-axle buses at the Volvo training centre in Bangalore.
“KSRTC is the first transport corporation among the state transport undertakings in the country to receive the first two Volvo multi-axle buses,” Ashoka said.
The salient features of the Volvo multi-axle inter-city bus include: 53 ergonomically-designed luxurious executive, reclining passenger seats, mobile and laptop charging points, two mounted LCD TVs of 26-inch and 17-inch dimensions and an emergency door on the right-hand side of the bus for safety.
Ashoka said that depending on the feedback from passengers and also based on the performance of the buses, KSRTC plans to induct more of these buses in its fleet. On the occasion, KSRTC relaunched its monthly lifestyle magazines - The Travellers’ Choice in English and Sarige Sourabha in Kannada. The magazines feature articles on tourism, lifestyle, steps by KSRTC, new facilities and a calendar of the premium services operated from Bangalore. KSRTC is believed to be the only public transport corporation in India to launch in-bus magazines and is said to reach nine lakh travellers every month.
Ashoka informed that Passenger Information System (PIS), a GPS-based audio and display system, will be inaugurated on September 26 in Mysore.
Seven new routes
The minister announced the extension of Volvo services by KSRTC on seven new routes, viz.
Bangalore-Ooty (four buses), Bangalore-Coimbatore (two buses), Bangalore-Shakaleshpur (two buses), Bangalore-Tiruchi (two buses), Bangalore-Dharmastala (two buses), Bangalore-Kukkesubramanya (two buses) and Bangalore- Davanagere (one bus).