[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by turbo1787

2. The rear tail lights are too small and not effective in the night.

As if existing buses have anykind of lighting in the rear. (evil grin).

4. The glass used in windows is said to be of inferior quality as the view from inside is waivy and not clear.

Ugh oh. That can happen only with non-safety glass.

And these buses use cummins engines, what is the difference from Tata?

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by hvkumar

[China] Beiqi Foton co-operated with Ashok Leyland | www.eobus.com

Here we are - yes, the DTC buses from AL indeed are with Chinese collaboration.

Basic chassis frame and suspension system from Chinese Beiqi Foton
Engine will be supplied by Cummins
Gearbox by Allison
Purely Indian are the body panels, supplied by Azad, and the board electronics

If this is true, really feel sympathy for AL and the R&D team at AL (Even the much publicised iBus is an outsourced project). They could have tied up with any bus manufacturer in the world, why would AL tie up with a Chinese company?.
I believe only DTC ordered ULF buses from AL, all other orders AL got as part of JNNURM(BEST, AP) are SLF, which is based on AL Viking chasis. It could be just a stop gap arrangement for DTC, because of the time lines and DTC specs, eventually they will have their own Chasis. Probably if they dont tie with a "Chinese" company, they wont be able to meet the DTC time lines.
I believe JCBL also uses Engine by Cummins (Different from the Cummins engine used in Tata buses) and Gearbox by Allison.

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

And these buses use cummins engines, what is the difference from Tata?

May be Tata Cummins vs Cummins India? Two plants based on same technology?

[urzdeepu]

its pathetic to hear that AL is going all the chinese way. Remember the old Citi bus developed by AL wayback in 1998 had a 250HP Iveco engine with an Allisons automatic transmission and pneumatic suspensions. But it all remained a concept only.
Only production model went online is the Panther.
But from reliable sources( from those working in TVS Irizar) i came to know that AL is seriously working on Luxura project where in already 10 buses have been delivered to APSRTC.
Can we take that as a ray of hope or...Is AL on the verge of extinction???

[hvkumar]

Originally Posted by urzdeepu

But from reliable sources( from those working in TVS Irizar) i came to know that AL is seriously working on Luxura project where in already 10 buses have been delivered to APSRTC.
Can we take that as a ray of hope or...Is AL on the verge of extinction???

How many years will they work on the Luxura bus? It was introduced a couple of years ago, and withdrawn for some technical reasons.

From a market share of almost 50% for buses, AL has already slipped in the CNG and JNURM orders, where Tata Motors has taken a huge advantage.

[teamveevee]

On Sunday Tata Motors delivered 107 ultra low entry (ULE) buses to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). “We will be delivering around 2,000 buses to DTC during he rest of the fiscal, of which 40 per cent would be AC and he rest non-AC.

Source Double-digit growth in CV within reach: Tata Motors

Just curious, Are there any difference in design between these new Tata Marcopolo buses and the first batch of 625 buses? Anybody got pictures of these new buses?

[v1kram]

Originally Posted by teamveevee

On Sunday Tata Motors delivered 107 ultra low entry (ULE) buses to the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC). “We will be delivering around 2,000 buses to DTC during he rest of the fiscal, of which 40 per cent would be AC and he rest non-AC.

Source Double-digit growth in CV within reach: Tata Motors

Just curious, Are there any difference in design between these new Tata Marcopolo buses and the first batch of 625 buses? Anybody got pictures of these new buses?

The Marcopolo buses delivered to BMTC in Fanta orange color has different window panels when compared with the buses delivered to DTC earlier, may be the same window design might have been implemented, not sure about other changes though.

[hanmust]

Press Release:

'Travel with the Star' in Andhra Pradesh on an; APSRTC’s Mercedes-Benz Luxury Intercity Coach

• Mr. V. Dinesh Reddy, IPS, Vice-Chairman & M.D., Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) today formally received the keys of the first Mercedes-Benz Luxury Intercity Coach in Hyderabad along with Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India Limited
• Currently, other Government Owned State Transport Undertakings like MSRTC (Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation) & KSRTC (Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation) have also successfully used the Mercedes-Benz Luxury Coaches on trial in their intercity fleet of buses.

Hyderabad - Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) welcomes Mercedes-Benz buses in its fleet: Mr. V. Dinesh Reddy, IPS, Vice-Chairman & M.D., APSRTC was handed-over the keys of APSRTC’s first Mercedes-Benz Luxury coach by Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India Limited.


“We at APSRTC constantly endeavour to provide our customers the best in terms of luxury, comfort, safety & technology. Thus, Mercedes-Benz buses emerged as an obvious choice for us. Now our customers can truly experience unmatched comfort and luxury in their bus travel”; commented Mr. V. Dinesh Reddy, IPS, Vice-Chairman & M.D., Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC).

Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Mananging Director & CEO of Mercedes-Benz India said, “The Mercedes-Benz Bus stands for the latest and best of technology, design, comfort, reliability and performance- aspects that have received enthusiastic response from our customers. We are happy to establish APSRTC to enable customers to experience luxury travel in Mercedes-Benz style. Our buses have been utilized and well appreciated by government organizations like MSRTC and KSRTC who have been impressed with the comfort & safety, overall cost of operation and robustness of our products. We are confident that APSRTC will also see value of the Mercedes-Benz bus in their fleet.”

The Mercedes-Benz Buses offered to APSRTC are built on the robust Mercedes chassis- 0 500 / RF 1830. These buses have been optimized to suit the needs of APSRTC. Apart from the suave exteriors, the plush and airy interiors sport well designed passenger seats with amenities like personalised speakers, lights and AC controls. Also, the bus features state–of–the–art suspension of legendary Mercedes quality. All in all, the coach offers the highest standards of comfort, safety and reliability for users; at the same time the technology and efficient performance ensures optimum cost of running for APSRTC.

APSRTC has been certified by the Guinness World Records for being the largest bus operator in the world. On an average, this State Transport Undertaking transports about 14 million passengers every day, equaling the number of passengers ferried by Indian Railways. It is the world's largest public transport organization by bus fleet (Total number of buses – 21,335) offering a wide array of transportation services in the Southern states of India. Currently, APSRTC operates across the states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Pondichery, Maharashtra, Orissa, Chattisgarh, Goa. The corporation operates city services in Hyderabad, Secunderabad, Vijayawada, Vishakhapatnam, Tirupati, Warangal.

Talking about the Indian bus market Dr. Aulbur added “The bus market in India is witnessing a tremendous change – a revolution aided by government driven infrastructure projects which are dedicated to redefine the mass transportation industry in India. Large scale projects like the NSEW corridor and the Golden Quadrilateral are already underway and close to completion. As links between far-flung places strengthen, there is an increased demand for mass transit systems to move the people with solutions that are reliabile, robust, and passenger oriented. It is this need that the Mercedes-Benz buses will fulfill.”

Mercedes-Benz launched its intercity luxury coaches in September 2008 and till date has sold 25 buses in India. Mercedes-Benz coaches have been sold to private operators like Neeta Tours, Sharma Transports, Konduskar Travels, Kaleshwari Travels, Eagle Travels and SS Travels.

Source: Mercedes-Benz India

[fx45]

can anyone post pix of the new macropolos for DTC?

[greatmana2000]

[quote=BaCkSeAtDrIVeR;1493996]No such thing as "low maintenance". You are looking at "low spare cost". Look at Tatas.

LOL .. Tata Buses are costly to maintain compared to AL . I have owned Both .





For both Tatas and AL, the normal "street side" mechanic would be best.
I dont really agree . For the minor repairs road side mechs are good , but for competent gear boxwork , engine work etc ... I dont really think they are capable enough . Most of them dont even know what a vernier is .





This is more due to the engine torque / RPM and gearing ratios. I would like to point out that I am out of the heavy vehicle operations business for last 20 years.

[greatmana2000]

Originally Posted by nkrishnap

I think the small turning radius is because the steering angle of 50 degrees makes it too good. My technical knowledge is very limited to give you the exact term.

Damn now these 9400 and 9700 have projector headlights, a total of 3 pairs (6) lights makes it too good on the highway for the bus driver and worse for the on coming traffic

The AL buses also have a 50 degree turning raidus

[greatmana2000]

[quote=Transsenger;1489410]Well, if you are looking for Fully built buses only, then you have the only option of going for Tata Starbus/Globus range. AL has only the following fully built buses Stag -32/36 seater and Lynx 45seater.
Considering Intermediate buses, your options are 40 seater - Tata starbus/Marcopolo, Eicher Skyline, Swaraj Mazda and Leyland Lynx.

Comming back...Tata starbus / Globus are the only FB heavy buses presently avaliable. Answers to your qurey as follows:
1. Body - Starbus body is built by ACGL - Automobile Corporation of Goa Ltd(subsidery of Tata Motors) or HMM etc based on the standard designs of TataMotors. The Asthetics, quality fit & finish is good. But comparitively not easy to maintain in the Long Run. Issues like welding cracks, rattling front & rear FRP defects etc may be encountered.
2. Air Suspension - its not really required for non a/c bus. You can either get factory fitted system from both AL & Tata or else get it done thru supplier dealers. For example Wheels India. Tata buses usually comes with Wheels India make system as OE fitment. It will be an optional fitment in case of standard Starbus. AL offers its own air suspension system also.

Get air suspension for rear wheels only . The front air isnt so good . The front uses weveller .. and it is more than enough .


3. Weveller Suspension - It is normal leaf spring system but rubber springs replace the mechanical shackles. It is widely used in Leyland vehicles. Tata has started fitment of the same recently. It offers better comfort & low maintenance.

The tata leaf springs are shorter in length compared to AL leafs . This gives a bumpy ride on the Tatas .



And in case of picking Starbus, ask for Cummins engine, radial tyre and Annual Maintenance contract.

Cummins doesnt give a good mileage . That is why KSRTC and APSRTC have switched to AL hino engines .

For A/c bus its better to go for a chassis. The a/c can be of ThermoKing, Carrier or Sidwal etc. Good quality customised buses can be made thru reputed body builders.

If possible try to aviod BS3 models, as all models presently avaliable are with electronics integrated fuel systems. Its costly to maintain in long run. Please not we dont get quality FUEL everywhere, hence no point in BS for the time being....purely practical! (critics welcome)

Well, the BS3 AL series use Ve pumps from MICO . They offer better mileage and pickup . Downside is the pumps have a lot of diag features built in and any pump mech will not be able to repair it . note : To recondition the pump , the timing gear has to be inspected ...

[raj_5004]

thanks to one & all for helping me out with the purchase of buses. we have finalized on-

Two numbers of AL 4/89 viking 222" chassis with 'H' series 6ETI BS II engine.
Body will be done at Prakash (bangalore)- 49 seater (pics of similar model attached below). bus would be air suspension & non-AC.

can anybody help me with someone who can install an air suspension unit in these chassis apart from AL itself? is wheel india based in karnataka? if yes, can anybody help me with its website/mail ID or any contact info? has anybody heard of Chitra air suspension?

any opinions or comments are welcome.

[dkamath]

Originally Posted by raj_5004

has anybody heard of Chitra air suspension?

The last time i saw it, it was located somewhere near Kudlu Gate, before Electronic City, Hosur Road, Bangalore. Most of the contract carriage operators buses have/had their suspension installed from this place.

[Mpower]

Originally Posted by hanmust

'Travel with the Star' in Andhra Pradesh on an; APSRTC’s Mercedes-Benz Luxury Intercity Coach

• Mr. V. Dinesh Reddy, IPS, Vice-Chairman & M.D., Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) today formally received the keys of the first Mercedes-Benz Luxury Intercity Coach in Hyderabad along with Dr. Wilfried Aulbur, Managing Director and CEO of Mercedes-Benz India Limited

How many buses is the total contract for and what routes will they be running?