[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by teamveevee

What about while running? which is smooter? I always thought AL engines are much louder and harsh

Yes AL engines are always roarer. But the oneyou find them in Viking is a Hino H series engines and they are smoother compared to AL's.

Originally Posted by teamveevee

From my personal experience, while idle time and at very high speeds AL behaves better (ie Vibrations are more in TM), but while normal cruising, TM buses are much smoother and the engine is more silent and soft sounding.

That's always true. Cummins engines Vibrate very high during idle and at higher speeds.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by silversteed

Just a doubt - are these buses fitted with auto transmission, or the regular MT?

Manual.

Originally Posted by silversteed

One thing that makes me wonder is the fetish for the scrolling LED displays, and mandated by JnNURM. It's easier to read static boards (LED or plain, painted ones) than these scrolling ones. Unless you keep looking at it for minutes altogether, you won't get to know the route. This is a real problem for people who are new to the place. Sometimes old is gold

The LED board is a pain for new people. In fact, it seems KeSRTC has understood this - all JNNURM buses will have printed boards henceforth (in addition to the LED Scrolls).

Originally Posted by santoshnair

...yest at goregain in mumbai i noticed our Kesrtc star bus the AC one with Mumbai registration....running as contract carriage they just painted white paint over ksrtc logo and name....is kesrtc selling the buses

In fact, all the 20 KeSRTC Globuses are in operation with the corporation. No buses have been sold out. 10 older AC buses have been scrapped (or are in the process). Would be great if you get a pic so that we can speculate further.

I have more pics (including that of the gear) from the inaugural event - will upload in a day or two.

[Jimmyjosek]

Nine Ashok Leyland low floor buses for Kochi under the JNNURM scheme were flagged off by the Transport Minister of Kerala Sri. Jose Thettayil on 14-05-2010. Here are a few photos

[AkMar]

Originally Posted by arvi86

I have seen old Marcopolos emitting a plume of black smoke in Delhi and Bangalore but I was shocked to see barely weeks-old new Marcopolos doing the same in Chennai.

I think this statement is not correct. Marcopolos in Delhi run on CNG. I doubt whether CNG powered buses would let out a "plume of black smoke" even if they are badly maintained.

[arvi86]

@AkMar - Yes, I do know that the Marcopolos in Delhi run on CNG but I was refering to buses (even owned by pvt) which I saw around NCR. But I am sure most of you will accept that quite a few Marcopolos emit black smoke in Bangalore. Even today morning, on my way to work, I saw one new Marcopolo doing the same in Chennai ...

[srishiva]

Originally Posted by arvi86

@AkMar - Yes, I do know that the Marcopolos in Delhi run on CNG but I was refering to buses (even owned by pvt) which I saw around NCR. But I am sure most of you will accept that quite a few Marcopolos emit black smoke in Bangalore. Even today morning, on my way to work, I saw one new Marcopolo doing the same in Chennai ...

Yes, people standing in the bus stops/stations have complained against the black smoke emitted by TATAs in Bengaluru.

I can understand TATA trying to be in every known field and trying to provide value for money for Indians. Cant they do it a little responsibly?

[urzdeepu]

Originally Posted by Jimmyjosek

Nine Ashok Leyland low floor buses for Kochi under the JNNURM scheme were flagged off by the Transport Minister of Kerala Sri. Jose Thettayil on 14-05-2010. Here are a few photos

excellent set of pics especially the first one...i really loved the way the bus has been photographed.

nice buses...surprising KESRTC took the initiative in going for AL RE buses....good cost effective solutions ....congrats KESRTC and people of Kerala have a great ride

[benbsb29]

Originally Posted by theMAG

Same here. I've hardly noticed any AC Marcopolos at all over the past weeks - something like 1 AC Marcopolo for 100 Volvos. I hope its a case of good riddance.

As much as i dislike the buses, they were a good alternative in routes where there were no Volvos plying. Rather than doing away with them altogether, i hope replacements are introduced.

[Spitfire]

Originally Posted by benbsb29

As much as i dislike the buses, they were a good alternative in routes where there were no Volvos plying.

And the fair was cheaper compared to the Volvo's. Not sure whether it was an introductory offer though.

And yes they are AC, just incase someone gets confused with the non AC ones.

Eg. Marathahalli to Manipal Hospital:
Volvo - Rs 15
Tata Marcopolo AC - Rs 9

[benbsb29]

The A/c Marcopolos ticket pricing was definitely welcome. It was so economical that my wife used to knowingly miss her office bus so she could take the Marcopolo.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by silversteed

@Ashley2: Thanks for sharing the datasheet... Do you have a similar one for the AL Viking? Hope am not asking too much

Silversteed. I dont have. Will try getting

[AkMar]

Found this extremely funny repair job on a broken glass of a BEST Kinglong. Talk about creativity!

But the tendency to stick plastic on broken glasses is on the rise. This is not good at all.

[smashnerd]

Finally got to ride on the KSRTC Volvo low-floor bus in Kochi. Here's what I think -

1. It's powerful.
2. The whole thing was vibrating when going over bumps on the road.
3. Interior quality doesn't justify the price.
4. The leveling feature wasn't used at all on the trip.
5. No point in placing adjustable A/C vents if you have to stand to use them.
6. It looks bland compared to the Tata-Marcopolos.
7. Has a emergency window and not a door. Plus, no directions on how to use it anywhere.

Verdict - Not worth it solely due to horrible vibrations. I've been on the non-A/C Tata-Marcopolo's in Delhi and they rode better over the bumps.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by smashnerd

2. The whole thing was vibrating when going over bumps on the road.

Verdict - Not worth it solely due to horrible vibrations. I've been on the non-A/C Tata-Marcopolo's in Delhi and they rode better over the bumps.

Dude, Take a ride after few more days, after the rains have intensified. You will feel that this ride was smooth. Onam is only 15 weeks away. We have started the process of creating pathways for our former ruler, His Excellency, Rajarajadhiraja Sriman Mahabali' to come up from paataal.

On a more serious note, which route was this? The Volvos run only on the best roads here.