[nbr]

this photo was taken in Thailand. I find it unique

[TheARUN]

Its got a walk in engine compartment with its own door. They must be having 2 engines, 1 standard one running like a generator to power the AC and an actual one to power the brute. Its also multi-axle, and can actually do as a very good inter-city coach.

I remember how TATAs put the RAILWAYS out of business by adding an axle to the 1613 and coming up with the 2213. The truck could carry as much as a rail wagon and that warmed up to the customers. This kind of a bus can be perfect to carry a compartment full of passengers in sleeper comfort and again throw the gauntlet to the railways

[jagan0677]

Originally Posted by TheARUN

Its got a walk in engine compartment with its own door. They must be having 2 engines, 1 standard one running like a generator to power the AC and an actual one to power the brute. Its also multi-axle, and can actually do as a very good inter-city coach.

I very much doubt if they would run a seperate motor for the AC. Most modern coaches depend on the vehicle motor itself for the AC compressor. Trying pretty hard to imagine a solid reason for adding an extra motor just for the sake of the AC.

[mahadev_kc]

Finally I sighted the mysterious TATA marcopolo bus, in bangalore. It was going to Nelamangala. But it does not look as classy as VOLVO.

[TheARUN]

There are 3 choices for a high end inter-city coach.

The VOLVO
The middle rung
The ASHOK LEYLAND 12M

The VOLVO has certain disadvantages

1. The bus costs 75 lakhs, and it would be extremely difficult to repay that sum within the warranty period
2. The maintenance costs are very high and anyone employing a reckless driver will be severely punished financially

The Middle rung

They consist of the KING LONGS, ISUZUS, CORONAS of the world

1. They come for less than half the cost of a VOLVO, and provide 75% of the travel experience when compared to a VOLVO
2. They are slightly easier to repay and slightly lesser on maintainence

The ASHOK LEYLAND 12M Bus

1. Costs the least
2. Has air-suspension and provision for AC to run off the engine
3. Gives more mileage than the other two types
4. Costs 20 lakhs if built with good planning, research and supervision, or 25 lakhs for a fully loaded SUTLEJ model
5. Is much easier on the pocket to repay and tickets can be priced in line with ordinary luxury coaches
6. Gives the most profit per kilometer, any-which-way you want to calculate it
7. Is much much cheaper to maintain and easier to repair

QUESTION IS: Which bus makes the most BUSiness sense?

[deepclutch]

"look" factor is something which is lacking in AL buses.and the body builders are so inclined to make the same old model :(

[fx45]

the AL is the best for our COnditions IF it is mantained properly by the owner for long time.

BEST uses them in Mumbai as non a/c service and the air suspension is quite good and so is the soudn of engine in the cabin which is very minimal.

[CorsaLove]

Saw a Lexia (Sutlej built) bus yesterday at the Dabolim Airport in Goa. It was owned by The Leela Palace Hotel.

Could not take any photos as I was already late for my flight. The bus was short in length, similar to an Eicher long chassis which we get here but it was using its air suspension completely. Whenever the driver braked in that crawling traffic, the entire bus was swaying. It would have been very comfortable to sit in it I guess.

[TheARUN]

Did the LEXIA look something like this?

SUTLEJ has been using the LEXIA brand name for a long time on its products. They even had a 250bhp MERCEDES rear engines bus named LEXIA a decade ago!

This one seems to be built on a PANTHER chassis, and has the SUMO VICTA headlights

[amit_mechengg]

Tata Motors has won yet another order from the Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) to supply 1625 ultra low-floor buses, and their maintenance for 12 years. The contract is valued at Rs.2200 crores, comprising about Rs.900 crores for the 1625 buses, and about Rs.1300 crores for the 12-year maintenance contract for these buses.

[fx45]

I hope these are Macropolos and not the ancient looking Starbuses.

WIsh Mumbai also gets such huge number of Macropolos or VOlvos that banglore has.

[sidindica]

another upcoming launch from tata motors: LP 909 40 seater bus
penguin 1/2 ton goods carrier (may be with 3 or 4 wheels)

[TheARUN]

TATA has been peddling the 909 since ages as a medium size bus.

Wonder how the latest iteration will look like?

[fx45]

I think this might look something like this but a long wheelbae version.

Also might have the Starbus style front treatment.

http://cargomotors.com/images/photo-407bus.jpg


There is already a very LWB 709 ex bus on sale under Starbus theme.

This might be an update on that version.

[prmd_cochin]

Took this video when we went on a Mini OTR, TATA SE trucks at its best.

YouTube - Tata 1613SE