Volvo Launches B9R Coach : 9400 6x2

Jammy70 · 3rd April 2009, 11:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by arunmur

This is really insane stretch, newly laid 4 lanes and two wheelers drive in the opposite side in the middle of the road and flash lights at fast on-coming vehicles like they can disappear out of sight in a flash.

Arun,

Remember this stretch was covered in the very early hours of the morn (4-5am), so there really aren't any wrong-side drivers to watch out for. In fact, despite the speed (which I wouldn't have noticed unless I looked), the ride is very calm, overtaking very safe.

I am not an advocate for high-speed driving, but on a drive back to BLR in early Feb, I covered the Thoppur-HSR Layout stretch in 2 hours (ETD-10.15pm, ETA-12.15am) in my scorpio and found that holding speeds of 120-130 wasn't alarming. The night rider trucks (and most buses) are very well behaved and usually stick to the middle lane; while overtaking, flash your beams to indicate you are coming through and they won't get in your way. This was exactly what this Volvo driver was doing.

Cheers,

vineethvazhayil · 3rd April 2009, 12:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by binaiks

Then how do you think these guys cover the distance from Trivandrum to Bangalore is around 13-14 hours! The good old leylands require 16-18 hours for the distance!

The best (or the worst, as you may think) of the lot are Kerala SRTC guys - they do TVM to Bangalore in just 13 hours! They rip in every possible stretch - but still overtake with utmost caution! I traveled in one of those buses end to end, and I was not scared even in a single stretch! The driver knew the road like the back of his hand, and did every move very cautiosly!

He was surely never below 110~120kmph at most stretches!

These guys even do Trivandrum to Ernakulam in just 4 hours including a break for tea, picking up passengers, etc. Normal buses take atleast 6-7 hours for this stretch!

As long as their buses can handle it, and the braking is efficient I have no problems with them ripping. Thing is, if they have to react to unexpected situations, (they would be driving well, bu the same cannot be said of everyone else) lives of 40 odd passengers is at risk!

Trapezio · 3rd April 2009, 14:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by binaiks

Then how do you think these guys cover the distance from Trivandrum to Bangalore is around 13-14 hours! The good old leylands require 16-18 hours for the distance!

The best (or the worst, as you may think) of the lot are Kerala SRTC guys - they do TVM to Bangalore in just 13 hours! They rip in every possible stretch - but still overtake with utmost caution! I traveled in one of those buses end to end, and I was not scared even in a single stretch! The driver knew the road like the back of his hand, and did every move very cautiosly!

He was surely never below 110~120kmph at most stretches!

These guys even do Trivandrum to Ernakulam in just 4 hours including a break for tea, picking up passengers, etc. Normal buses take atleast 6-7 hours for this stretch!

I had the best bus rides in Bangalore Ernakulam/Trivandrum routes! Earlier Kalllada (a bus operator) G5 used to run run Tvm - BLR in guaranteed 14 hours. I suppose KSRTC has bettered it now.

Even normal air buses are driven flat. I used to sit awake through the night in the cabin watching the fun! There was a Tata bus with Sutlej body with Rukma from Madiwala (in BLR). That bus convinced me for the first time that Tata buses are not that slow. With poor roads some three years before it did BLR - Kottayam in 11 hours. Anyways we are getting off-topic here...

sharanramesh · 3rd April 2009, 15:11

I just travelled in one of these from Bangalore to Goa. i must say the ride was just incredible. but i hate the 2+2 seat layout, it so uncomfortable.

i dont think there is a sleeper configuration for the B9R yet!

S_budhiraj · 3rd April 2009, 15:21

This Bus is Humongous, this is surely changing the way we travel in Public transport on Highways!

stampro · 3rd April 2009, 15:25

What is next from VOLVO after this double axle bus

?

f1fan · 4th April 2009, 18:26

On the Bombay-Bangalore route, does anyone know about any other operator other than SHARMA that runs the multi-axle B9R?

vittalnrv · 4th April 2009, 21:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1fan

On the Bombay-Bangalore route, does anyone know about any other operator other than SHARMA that runs the multi-axle B9R?

Blue-Lines, but am not 100% sure of B9Rs

greatmana2000 · 7th April 2009, 19:15

Has anyone heard of Kesineni travels ? . I travelled from chennai to vizag . The distance was around 700 kms . The driver of the bus looked like an assian ready for the kill and he looked very confident about his weapon . The bus left chennai at 7.00 pm in the night . I was wondering if I could reach vizag by 8.00 AM in the morn as I had to catch a train to Bhubaneshwar .The bus had Voith retarders and when the bus had reached Vizag in the morning I could see that the driver was not tired or fatigued ,he was still fresh and I guess that is what makes VOLVO a VOLVO .

Before I travelled to VIzag I used to travel by my car anywhere and everywhere ,but after that fateful day , any long distance travel has to be by a VOLVO . It saves me a lot of trouble as I can enjoy my sleep with the thought that I am in a tank which is safe enough .

Why I love VOLVO is because the drivers have to compulsorily attend training programs before they can actually drive a VOLVO .

vasanadusatish · 13th April 2009, 11:50

Hi, Great to hear that you had traveled 700km by volvo. How the travel experience? Any rattling sound? Was A/c too cool?

tazmaan · 13th April 2009, 12:03

I travelled by B9R (Paulo travels) Bombay - Goa - Bombay some time back. The bus is huge and ride is very smooth. But the 2 + 2 sitting is definitely uncomfortable which beats the entire purpose of the bus. Leg room is very poor and cramped. The bus definitely needs 3 TV screens instead of 2.

The bus did have problem maneuvering around the city due to its length. I don't think its a major upgrade from B7R. I guess it is only suitable for busy routes where they can put more people on a single bus.

siedo · 13th April 2009, 18:46

I travelled in a b9r from ahmedabad to rajkot. The swing which we feel higher speeds in a b7r is much less in the b9r.Ideally the bus should have two doors since th became very difficult for the passenger sitting in last row to come out especially in the 2x2 set up

MileCruncher · 21st April 2009, 19:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by stampro

What is next from VOLVO after this double axle bus

?

May be a proper Double decker bus with upper story for sitting and lower for sleeping. Something like this (Pics Courtesy Wikipedia)

deepclutch · 21st April 2009, 19:58

awestruck!I am sure our electrical poles will touch these double decker buses most probably in India.

narayan · 21st April 2009, 20:09

I found the Volvo buses quite noisy even inside and lot of vibrations in the seat back rest. The ride comfortable relative to the regular airbus but I found there is heavy pitching when the driver brakes even normallywould help if these operators also installed better seats. I think after they buy the Volvo they have very less cash to invest in some good reclining seats

3rd April 2009, 15:11	#109
sharanramesh BHPian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 170 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	I just travelled in one of these from Bangalore to Goa. i must say the ride was just incredible. but i hate the 2+2 seat layout, it so uncomfortable. i dont think there is a sleeper configuration for the B9R yet!
	() Thanks

3rd April 2009, 15:21	#110
S_budhiraj BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 275 Thanked: Once	This Bus is Humongous, this is surely changing the way we travel in Public transport on Highways!
	() Thanks

3rd April 2009, 15:25	#111
stampro BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Madurai Posts: 163 Thanked: 2 Times	What next What is next from VOLVO after this double axle bus ?
	() Thanks

4th April 2009, 18:26	#112
f1fan BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 701 Thanked: 48 Times View My Garage	On the Bombay-Bangalore route, does anyone know about any other operator other than SHARMA that runs the multi-axle B9R?
	() Thanks

7th April 2009, 19:15	#114
greatmana2000 BANNED Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: chennai Posts: 703 Thanked: 58 Times	Has anyone heard of Kesineni travels ? . I travelled from chennai to vizag . The distance was around 700 kms . The driver of the bus looked like an assian ready for the kill and he looked very confident about his weapon . The bus left chennai at 7.00 pm in the night . I was wondering if I could reach vizag by 8.00 AM in the morn as I had to catch a train to Bhubaneshwar .The bus had Voith retarders and when the bus had reached Vizag in the morning I could see that the driver was not tired or fatigued ,he was still fresh and I guess that is what makes VOLVO a VOLVO . Before I travelled to VIzag I used to travel by my car anywhere and everywhere ,but after that fateful day , any long distance travel has to be by a VOLVO . It saves me a lot of trouble as I can enjoy my sleep with the thought that I am in a tank which is safe enough . Why I love VOLVO is because the drivers have to compulsorily attend training programs before they can actually drive a VOLVO .
	() Thanks

13th April 2009, 11:50	#115
vasanadusatish BHPian Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bangalore Posts: 27 Thanked: 0 Times	Hi, Great to hear that you had traveled 700km by volvo. How the travel experience? Any rattling sound? Was A/c too cool?
	() Thanks

13th April 2009, 12:03	#116
tazmaan BHPian Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Mumbai Posts: 926 Thanked: 3,235 Times View My Garage	I travelled by B9R (Paulo travels) Bombay - Goa - Bombay some time back. The bus is huge and ride is very smooth. But the 2 + 2 sitting is definitely uncomfortable which beats the entire purpose of the bus. Leg room is very poor and cramped. The bus definitely needs 3 TV screens instead of 2. The bus did have problem maneuvering around the city due to its length. I don't think its a major upgrade from B7R. I guess it is only suitable for busy routes where they can put more people on a single bus.
	() Thanks

13th April 2009, 18:46	#117
siedo BHPian Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Pune Posts: 129 Thanked: 15 Times	I travelled in a b9r from ahmedabad to rajkot. The swing which we feel higher speeds in a b7r is much less in the b9r.Ideally the bus should have two doors since th became very difficult for the passenger sitting in last row to come out especially in the 2x2 set up
	() Thanks

21st April 2009, 19:58	#119
deepclutch Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Muvattupuzha Posts: 1,165 Thanked: 162 Times	awestruck!I am sure our electrical poles will touch these double decker buses most probably in India.
	() Thanks

21st April 2009, 20:09	#120
narayan Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Singapore Posts: 3,114 Thanked: 2,372 Times View My Garage	I found the Volvo buses quite noisy even inside and lot of vibrations in the seat back rest. The ride comfortable relative to the regular airbus but I found there is heavy pitching when the driver brakes even normallywould help if these operators also installed better seats. I think after they buy the Volvo they have very less cash to invest in some good reclining seats
	() Thanks