[Tejas Ingle]

Mercedes-Benz launched its City Bus today in a grand event at its Chakan plant. The bus was very well appreciated by the present guests. The bus was on display after it was inaugurated. The guests also got a ride in the bus and a guided tour around the City Bus production plant.
Since this is a premium product, the rear-engined bus will come packed with features like a powerful AC, low floor entry, air suspension, entry ramp for wheel-chairs, automatic transmission, disc brakes with ABS, pneumatic driver seat, adjustible steering column, address system etc. An inline 6-cylinder, 7200cc, 252hp engine drives the bus.The bus complies with Euro IV pollution norms. The seating capacity is 37 while others can stand.
The body of the bus is build by Mercedes-Benz's partner MCV [Egypt] at the Chakan plant itself. The bus has a very dynamic design, a fine build with the best quality.
Lets hope that citizens get to 'Travel With The Star' as soon as possible.
Some pics.

[libranof1987]

There were a couple of these buses in B'lore; saw them around a year ago but for some reason don't see them anymore.

My opinion on these buses, based on the 1 time I sat in one of these is, they are neither as good looking as the Volvos nor as comfortable.

Probably they have made things better with the official launch version.

[silverado]

Merc need not waste money in testing these buses.Simply give them to PMPML and they will do the needfull with their pathetic management.

Hope to see them soon on PUNE's roads, esp hinjewadi

[vharihar]

Originally Posted by silverado

Merc need not waste money in testing these buses.Simply give them to PMPML and they will do the needfull with their pathetic management.

Hope to see them soon on PUNE's roads, esp hinjewadi

Try this:
Do a google search on the following keywords exactly:
worst public transport india

Pune's public transport comes top in the search results!

After living in Pune for 23 years, I can undoubtedly state that PMT (PMPML?) is easily the worst and most corrupt public transport service in India (and consequently the world). A total eyesore on Pune's streets, and one which would do society a great favor if the service is shutdown for good. As it is, no self-respecting person uses this service.

[Neil.Bhujbal]

Hey hie tejas Whats the cost of these buses ?? We had a chance to see them during our CAM batch visit to MB plant. They were standing right outside the Mechatronics center.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by Neil.Bhujbal

Hey hie tejas Whats the cost of these buses ??

The Mercedes Benz C125RLE costs Rs.90L excluding taxes et al.

[tushky]

Originally Posted by silverado

Merc need not waste money in testing these buses.Simply give them to PMPML and they will do the needfull with their pathetic management.

Hope to see them soon on PUNE's roads, esp hinjewadi

yeah, give these buses to PMPML and after 6 months you will see the bus with lots of dust on it,headlamps replaced with local round one, also the taillights broken, damaged automatic opening doors, patrician in windshield

[Tejas Ingle]

Originally Posted by libranof1987

There were a couple of these buses in B'lore; saw them around a year ago but for some reason don't see them anymore.

My opinion on these buses, based on the 1 time I sat in one of these is, they are neither as good looking as the Volvos nor as comfortable.

Probably they have made things better with the official launch version.

My experience with these buses is contradictory. The suspension was very good, the bus did not sway like a Volvo and was quiet stable. It was also technologically sound.

Originally Posted by silverado

Merc need not waste money in testing these buses.Simply give them to PMPML and they will do the needfull with their pathetic management.

Hope to see them soon on PUNE's roads, esp hinjewadi

Originally Posted by vharihar

Try this:
Do a google search on the following keywords exactly:
worst public transport india

Pune's public transport comes top in the search results!

After living in Pune for 23 years, I can undoubtedly state that PMT (PMPML?) is easily the worst and most corrupt public transport service in India (and consequently the world). A total eyesore on Pune's streets, and one which would do society a great favor if the service is shutdown for good. As it is, no self-respecting person uses this service.

Originally Posted by tushky

yeah, give these buses to PMPML and after 6 months you will see the bus with lots of dust on it,headlamps replaced with local round one, also the taillights broken, damaged automatic opening doors, patrician in windshield

If PMPML is going to have these buses or not is not known. Few years ago MB buses were running with the PMT fleet on a trial basis. But I guess those were the semi low floor buses which are too basic. Hope that PMPML gets some of these buses and 'maintains' them. They will add to the pride of the city.

Originally Posted by Neil.Bhujbal

Hey hie tejas Whats the cost of these buses ?? We had a chance to see them during our CAM batch visit to MB plant. They were standing right outside the Mechatronics center.

Hi Neil. The ones that you saw were probably the older euro II versions unless you saw the silver one which was completely masked at that time. The one that is launched now looks similar but is more advanced than that.
As told by Silversteed, the cost of the base model is 9millions. If any accessories apart from the standard features are added, it will add to the cost.

[amitwlele]

Hey Tejas thanks for sharing. Were you also able to take a ride in it? How was it? I know that would not be a good indicator of how it would perform on Pune roads.

Can spot you as well in one of the snaps.

[binaiks]

Any news on who would be getting these buses first? BMTC had ordered for 10 MB C120LEs earlier - but the order was cancelled after MB informed unavailability of a BSIV engine (then, according to news papers).

The red one seems to suggest BMTC is in the race.

[Tejas Ingle]

Originally Posted by amitwlele

Hey Tejas thanks for sharing. Were you also able to take a ride in it? How was it? I know that would not be a good indicator of how it would perform on Pune roads.

I have had many trials and have seen the bus inside-out. The bus is a very strong build, the quality is good, its stuffed with electronics and technology. It offers a comfortable ride. It should perform on Pune roads; the body height can be raised .

Originally Posted by binaiks

Any news on who would be getting these buses first? BMTC had ordered for 10 MB C120LEs earlier - but the order was cancelled after MB informed unavailability of a BSIV engine (then, according to news papers).
The red one seems to suggest BMTC is in the race.

It was said during the launch that nothing has been finalised yet but MB is in talks with potential customers. I dont know who would they be, but my guess is Mumbai and Bangalore. This one is Euro IV.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by Tejas Ingle

My experience with these buses is contradictory. The suspension was very good, the bus did not sway like a Volvo and was quiet stable. It was also technologically sound.

...., the cost of the base model is 9millions. If any accessories apart from the standard features are added, it will add to the cost.

For us to understand, can you throw some light on features/technology better Volvo 8400.

City bus segment should not be the case for Mercedes as in Intercity coaches, where the equation is still/highly in favour for Volvo.
Asking price of MB should be completely deserved by it and not just for the erstwhile brand name.

[silverado]

Originally Posted by vharihar

Try this:
Do a google search on the following keywords exactly:
worst public transport india

Pune's public transport comes top in the search results!

After living in Pune for 23 years, I can undoubtedly state that PMT (PMPML?) is easily the worst and most corrupt public transport service in India (and consequently the world). A total eyesore on Pune's streets, and one which would do society a great favor if the service is shutdown for good. As it is, no self-respecting person uses this service.

I have respect for the drivers who drive these poorly maintained buses.
Funniest part was the tussle between PMT and PMPML over new buses door locations ( BRTS buses, left side or right side ) and now they have buses with doors on both sides.

There are few buses which have first step which is very very high.
I was a frequent bus traveller in mumbai and had to use pune bus service for first 15 days till i got my vehicles here.

Mercedes Benz buses will surely entice people back to bus travel which is critically the need of hour to decongest our cities.

[simplyself]

Originally Posted by silverado

Mercedes Benz buses will surely entice people back to bus travel which is critically the need of hour to decongest our cities.

I do not know whether the Benz buses would entice people back to public transport but would surely make a dream come true to board a Mercedes Benz

[nanduchitnis]

Except in the large Metros like Mumbai/Delhi/Chennai these buses may work. But Pune no way. Fares will be high and PCMT will really mess these buses to scrap in no time.

If PCMT does introduce these buses, will definitely ride in them !