The Indian Bus Scene (Discuss new launches and market info here)

julupani · 24th August 2011, 06:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Lynx, as you know does not have any competition for institution application.

What do you mean by no competition?? As far as I know everybody provides buses for such applications.

binaiks · 24th August 2011, 07:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Why have they missed Lynx. I believe they already have one.

They have Lynx. Not just lynx, but Amrita institutes have vehicles for almost all manufacturers other than Mahindra. However, a good proportion of buses (the full sized ones) are from Leyland - in fact, I haven't seen any new TATA buses at all with Amrita.

Last year (June 2010), Amrita had taken a huge lot of A+ series of School buses from Leyland - both Stag and Lynx. The year before (around October 2009), Amrita had purchased Lynx/Stag chassis, and got bodies from Shakti, Karur.

Two images attached (pardon the poor quality - was taken on a rainy evening on my mobile phone).

Transsenger · 24th August 2011, 08:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by julupani

What do you mean by no competition?? As far as I know everybody provides buses for such applications.

There are ICV buses provided by TML(Lp1109), Eicher(11.10) etc, but none matches the advantages of dimensional specifications of Lynx. Its a big small bus! (in every aspect). For example, you cannot put comfortable 3x2 seating layout in LP1109/eicher11.10H if body is built as per rules & norms.

Quote:

Originally Posted by binaiks

They have Lynx. Not just lynx, but Amrita institutes have vehicles for almost all manufacturers other than Mahindra. However, a good proportion of buses (the full sized ones) are from Leyland - in fact, I haven't seen any new TATA buses at all with Amrita.

Last year (June 2010), Amrita had taken a huge lot of A+ series of School buses from Leyland - both Stag and Lynx. The year before (around October 2009), Amrita had purchased Lynx/Stag chassis, and got bodies from Shakti, Karur.

But this year, its learnt that they have gone for 30 numbers of TML buses (8-LP912 and 22-Lp712). At the same time, big buses are from AL, but comparitively less in numbers.

binaiks · 24th August 2011, 08:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transsenger

But this year, its learnt that they have gone for 30 numbers of TML buses (8-LP912 and 22-Lp712). At the same time, big buses are from AL, but comparitively less in numbers.

I knew this was coming! This is why I said "the full sized ones". Amrita has received Ashok Leyland buses built by Kondody. Had seen a few Leyland Chassis being delivered to Amrita as well - a few days back.

Full size buses for Amrita is almost always from Leyland. Amrita uses them as School buses or as "Luxury" buses - the Luxury buses are used to long journeys for official purposes. Amrita has a huge fleet of buses - all are based in Kochi. Infact Amrita has dedicated maintenance facilities for their vehicles.

Here is a pic of one new Kondody built bus:

julupani · 24th August 2011, 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transsenger

There are ICV buses provided by TML(Lp1109), Eicher(11.10) etc, but none matches the advantages of dimensional specifications of Lynx. Its a big small bus! (in every aspect). For example, you cannot put comfortable 3x2 seating layout in LP1109/eicher11.10H if body is built as per rules & norms.

First of all, its 1112 now and not 1109.

Ok, do you mean to say, max width allowed for a 1112 chassis is lower, or that the 1112 lacks a 4.9m WB variant. Does the Lynx allow for a 2.5m width, which would be required for 3x2 seating??

teamveevee · 24th August 2011, 10:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transsenger

But this year, its learnt that they have gone for 30 numbers of TML buses (8-LP912 and 22-Lp712). At the same time, big buses are from AL, but comparitively less in numbers.

Does it mean, ICVs from TM are better than AL? I have seen in southern Kerala, lot of operators use TM ICVs as stage carraiges, while they use AL big buses.

Also any idea, why Amrita went for Kondody built mini buses, instead of opting for Marcopolo school buses (which is more standards compliant)? Doubt cost is a factor? I have seen many Marcopolo school buses in Kerala roads.

Transsenger · 24th August 2011, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by binaiks

I knew this was coming! This is why I said "the full sized ones". Amrita has received Ashok Leyland buses built by Kondody. Had seen a few Leyland Chassis being delivered to Amrita as well - a few days back.

Full size buses for Amrita is almost always from Leyland. Amrita uses them as School buses or as "Luxury" buses - the Luxury buses are used to long journeys for official purposes. Amrita has a huge fleet of buses - all are based in Kochi. Infact Amrita has dedicated maintenance facilities for their vehicles.

Here is a pic of one new Kondody built bus:

In addition, Amrita was more loyal to Tata and it has been only a few years since they started using AL buses in large numbers. They used to have a large fleet of Cummins engined buses like 1312 & 1512. Even during 2009, they had purchased a fleet of LPO1512 4700mm WB chassis for which the body was built by Sakthi Karur. In 2008, they were the first customer in kerala to go for Lp909 4900WB starbus in bulk numbers. Their new special ambulance is built on LPO1613 by ACGL. And today their fleet composition would be mixed one.

BTW, nice pic!

Quote:

Originally Posted by julupani

First of all, its 1112 now and not 1109.

Ok, do you mean to say, max width allowed for a 1112 chassis is lower, or that the 1112 lacks a 4.9m WB variant. Does the Lynx allow for a 2.5m width, which would be required for 3x2 seating??

A little homework would give you the answers!

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamveevee

Does it mean, ICVs from TM are better than AL? I have seen in southern Kerala, lot of operators use TM ICVs as stage carraiges, while they use AL big buses.

Is that a relevant inference?

silversteed · 24th August 2011, 16:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by binaiks

Two images attached (pardon the poor quality - was taken on a rainy evening on my mobile phone).

Nice pics... But, just curious about the first bus - seems like it has got a high positive camber - is it because of your pic, or is the front axle like that? Isn't it a Lynx and the second one a Stag?

binaiks · 24th August 2011, 17:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transsenger

Even during 2009, they had purchased a fleet of LPO1512 4700mm WB chassis for which the body was built by Sakthi Karur.

I've never seen them. Have seen the Lynx built by Sakthi, but never the TATAs. I'll search for them in the campus - or may be they are running elsewhere. Ernakulam is the base for all the vehicles owned by Amrita.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transsenger

Their new special ambulance is built on LPO1613 by ACGL. And today their fleet composition would be mixed one.

It technically not an Ambulance. Its a mobile dental hospital - the unit has all facilities for conducting dental checkups and treatment during medical camps. I had a couple of pics of that vehicle - will search for them and upload.

Quote:

Originally Posted by silversteed

Nice pics... But, just curious about the first bus - seems like it has got a high positive camber - is it because of your pic, or is the front axle like that? Isn't it a Lynx and the second one a Stag?

Its due to the image angle - more than image angle, its the fuzzy sensor of the camera to be blamed. The first pic was of a Lynx and the second was a Stag.

silversteed · 25th August 2011, 01:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashley2

More photos ...

Another interesting point to be noted here is, the instrument console that came with the bus is now neatly integrated on the dash-board, instead of fabricating some fugly console. We had a discussion on AL buses' IC in this thread before, and it looks like a standard IC is being used across all platforms now. Looks good

teamveevee · 25th August 2011, 10:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transsenger

Is that a relevant inference?

That was my observation. Just confirming with you experts. ....

Transsenger · 25th August 2011, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by teamveevee

That was my observation. Just confirming with you experts. ....

Well i would say, that is not a significant inference. Because, private bus operators are guided by many other factors above the vehicle performance while going for purchase.For example, easy finance option arranged by the respective dealers, loopholes in the MV rules (classic example is Viking 194"WB chassis) etc. When operators started shifting to ICV buses (big wide body on small chassis) the only model available was LP1109 from TML. So it was a huge success. Later after an year or so, when AL launched Lynx, they shifted to Lynx. In 2007, the LP1109 was completely wiped out from the market when RTO stopped registering extra wide body on ICV chassis. Only Lynx sustained in the market. These trends does not mean Lynx is better or LP1109 is bad. Again, this is my observation only & there may be diff. views!

Transsenger · 25th August 2011, 22:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by binaiks

I've never seen them. Have seen the Lynx built by Sakthi, but never the TATAs.
.

The Tata LPO1512 4700mmWB bus of Amrita built by Sakthi Karur.

julupani · 26th August 2011, 07:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Transsenger

The Tata LPO1512 4700mmWB bus of Amrita built by Sakthi Karur.

You sure about the WB. I think it must be 4900mm, which I think is no longer available on the 1512.

Transsenger · 26th August 2011, 21:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by julupani

You sure about the WB. I think it must be 4900mm, which I think is no longer available on the 1512.

Sure, its 4700mm WB and its no more available here. The LPO version is available in 5334 and 5545 WB only. Others 4225, 4885, 5192, 5895 all are LP (without front overhang) versions.