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I had a chance to travel from Bengaluru to Chennai by the new KSRTC Airavat 2.0 service last week. The interiors are fabulous. The black faux leather upholstery gives a really luxurious vibe. The leg space, and overhead luggage space has improved. The ride quality was superb.

KSTRC was always way ahead than other state RTCs in terms of the service, and they are maintaining that lead.

Made a short trip in KeSRTC Scania multiaxle semi sleeper from Calicut to Trichur. RP664 was the bus doing Mananthavady Trivandrum schedule. Announcement was made in the bus station that the "AC Bus" to Trivandrum had more vacant seats and passengers to Trichur, Kottayam, Trivandrum can approach conductor to get seats. This was on a Friday night and I wondered on why the bus is not full. There was an empty superfast and a fast operating to Ernakulam and Pala and I chose to travel by the Scania. This Scania (RP664) was KeSRTC own scania and was the youngest of the fleet , I guess. Bus left Calicut KeSRTC promptly at 11pm and I was surprised (shocked) to see the ticket at Rs.389 (for a distance of 120km; now got it why the bus was empty). I expected a full rattled ride and poor seats but to my surprise, the seats were refurbished with new headrest clothes and full reclining. The bus was around 40% empty and I chose the LHS seat on second last row and got 2 seats to my disposal. Bus maintenance was superb with very less rattles but sound insulation was not so good.
Reached Trichur at 2:30 am (with a 20 min dinner break in between). Driving was bit rash but superb with timed overtakes and speed was maintained at around 80km max.
No blanket, drinking water was provided (for Rs.389 ticket atleast blanket should be there).

The 6 laned highway development is doing fast progress (around 20% of the road was opened to public)
Travelled on 28.02.2025

I had a back to back (and with short notice) travel from Bangalore to Chennai and only KSRTC could wean me away from driving :)

Onward was a Mysore originating Ambari Dream Class departing from Shantinagar at 23:45 (making it one of the last buses to Chennai I wonder)

Return was the current flagship Airavat 2.0 Semi Sleeper, again Mysore bound departing Koyambedu at 19:44 with Majestic arrival at 03:09


Lit gangway


Tasteful wood trim with ambient lighting


Who doesn't love physical buttons!


Fire suppression system running through the roof line (and the fire extinguisher at a vantage location near the entrance)