[prmd_cochin]

Originally Posted by silversteed

If it's not for KSRTC, those Marcopolo LF buses in the Popular yard must be for export, is it? Or any operator wants to have a taste of those rattletraps?

It has JNuRM logo onto it. As replied earlier by the co member here it might be bought by a pvt operator from DelhiRTC for tarmac operations in CIAL.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by prmd_cochin

It has JNuRM logo onto it. As replied earlier by the co member here it might be bought by a pvt operator from DelhiRTC for tarmac operations in CIAL.

But DTC runs CNG buses and these are diesel ones.

[thoma]

Heard that bicycle clubs rent bicycles at Trivandrum, but this is a cool initiative from BMTC, Bangalore. Combining pedaling with bus travel. Picture taken from a friend's share on Facebook.

[prmd_cochin]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

But DTC runs CNG buses and these are diesel ones.

The guys whom i spoke to told me this was for KeSRTC, but that was refuted by members here. I guess we need to wait and see till the we spot them operating.

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by prmd_cochin

New TATA marcopolo low floor a/c buses to be launched by KeSRTC in Kochi under the JNURM scheme. This was clicked at the Popular Mega Motors dealer in kalady near Kochi.

I was wondering if private operators can buy this bus to run as stage carriages? cause I happened to see a Starbus semi low floor parked at the UFO(private opereator in Udayamperoor) garage. They're known to run Tata's.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by smashnerd

I was wondering if private operators can buy this bus to run as stage carriages? cause I happened to see a Starbus semi low floor parked at the UFO(private opereator in Udayamperoor) garage. They're known to run Tata's.

But why should they use a 50 lks bus to earn pea nuts(proportionately).

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

But why should they use a 50 lks bus to earn pea nuts(proportionately).

I'm just speculating. How much would a Starbus have cost?

[Transsenger]

Originally Posted by smashnerd

I was wondering if private operators can buy this bus to run as stage carriages? cause I happened to see a Starbus semi low floor parked at the UFO(private opereator in Udayamperoor) garage. They're known to run Tata's.

Its not "Starbus Semi lowfloor". Its the normal LPO1512 with fully built Marcopolo body, recently launched by TML, specially for mofussil market in South India.
This bus was brought here for launch and now UFO has picked it up. And UFO is the operator in Kerala, who has the track record of experimenting with various TML models (1312TC, 1510c, 1512c, 1612, 1616 etc) & different body designs in long / highrange routes.

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by Transsenger

Its not "Starbus Semi lowfloor". Its the normal LPO1512 with fully built Marcopolo body, recently launched by TML, specially for mofussil market in South India.
This bus was brought here for launch and now UFO has picked it up. And UFO is the operator in Kerala, who has the track record of experimenting with various TML models (1312TC, 1510c, 1512c, 1612, 1616 etc) & different body designs in long / highrange routes.

Oh is that so? It was labelled a Starbus and so thought it was a semi low floor, the two-step kind. Wasn't a long bus either. What does that model cost then? Cheaper than building a custom body?

[libranof1987]

Happened to travel in the Corona A/c bus today. A few observations :

1) The pick up is very sluggish as compared to that in a Volvo; the Coronas aren't as quick as the Volvos either.

2) There are 2 floor levels; unlike that in a Volvo where the floor is gradually ascending towards the rear. Seating at the back will be more comfortable because of this.

3) The seat height is lesser than that in a Volvo; might just cause knee pain over long distances.

4) The rear door is more towards the rear; so there are more seats between the driver and rear door than between the rear door and back of the bus.

5) There are front-seats in the middle as against the foldable seats in a Volvo; so area available for standing is less.

6) The a/c vents are weird; they are the roller type where you roll the direction control to control the direction/passage of air.

[ranjithrnath]

Here is the PIC of UFO's TATA STARBUS MARCOPOLO on a super fast permit.
Image credits RIJO-VAVOLICKANS on facebook
The bus was soptted at KONDODY AUTO CRAFT FOR replacing the factory fitted seats with new ones. The passengers wont prefer the stiff seats for a long journey of Ernakulam to Kumily.

This is a new variant Starbus 57 seater built on LPO1512/55..5545 mm WB BS-3 135hp cummins 6BT 5.9 engine.
The manual is attached to this post in PDF format.


There is a chassis also available for LPO1512/55 called as 1512 stage carriage..
The manual is attached to this post in PDF format.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

Happened to travel in the Corona A/c bus today. A few observations :

1) The pick up is very sluggish as compared to that in a Volvo; the Coronas aren't as quick as the Volvos either.

How can you compare a 160hp Cummins engine with a 290hp Deutz CRDI engine?

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by ranjithrnath

Here is the PIC of UFO's TATA STARBUS MARCOPOLO on a super fast permit.

This is a major change from the normal practice followed by moffussil bus owners, ie buying a chasis and builting the body by a local body builder. I have seen few Skool (school bus) version of Starbus in Kerala, but not seen a route bus until now. How is this segment catching up? Is there any other operator who opted for STARBUS? What is the turn around time from booking(Right now it takes anywhere from 2-3 months since booking the chasis and building the body say in Kondody Auto Kraft). Does AL currently sell any fully built bus for moffussil use? Hope oneday KerRTC also will start procuring these kind of buses, in place of its home grown version.

[speed kills]

Saw this video the other day.
Nice to see BMTC get coverage on the BBC.

EAFT Tabs in BMTC buses - BBC coverage.wmv - YouTube

[sandsun7]

The country's 1st 'long' volvo bus -14.5 meters length compared to 12 meter in the current volvos- will be rolled out in Bangalore today on a trial basis. The longer buses will have 51 seating capacity and can carry 110 passengers at a time. The trial run will be made on the route `500 D' from Hebbal to Banashankari, along the Outer Ring road(ORR), one of the longest routes in Bangalore, passing through the tech-hubs of the city lying off ORR, Marathahalli, KR Puram, Bellandur and Central Silk Board junction.

Report in Times of India: Bangalore Metropolitan Transport corporation to roll out longer Volvos - The Times of India