City Buses of various STUs all over India

AkMar · 8th January 2012, 09:31

A bus-fan friend of mine travelled in the CNG Volvo yesterday. His opinion too is similar to mine. The bus is an extremely capable product.

AkMar · 15th January 2012, 10:44

I travelled in the CNG Volvo again yesterday, this time for a longer distance (around 8-9 km). The driver was the same as last journey, but he was driving much more aggressively yesterday. In the first journey he barely exceeded 1300-1400 rpm, but yesterday he went upto 2000 rpm a few times. The bus was climbing gradients effortlessly, overtaking vehicles easily even while climbing.

Got the chance to judge the bus in a better way yesterday. The engine, as expected, is sluggish compared to the diesel Volvo, but still the bus is no slouch. It has more than adequate power for the city. NVH levels are well controlled. I travelled in the CNG Volvo and Kinglong back to back on the same seat & the difference in NVH levels is instantly noticeable! There were no engine vibrations in the Volvo on the first seat, whereas some vibrations do reach the first seat of Kinglong. The engine is very silent on the outside too.

A big

to the bus

Having said that, I would like to add that the Kinglong is the king of low end CNG AC city buses. Tata Marcopolo and Ashok Leyland ULE do not come close to the Kinglong. The Volvo and Kinglong are good in their own places.

Attached another pic clicked yesterday.

arvi86 · 17th January 2012, 20:58

Well, just like MTC Chennai changed the color scheme of the regular buses in their fleet from blue to green once the new government came into power, it seems Volvos are also going to undergo a similar color change operation.

I spotted this repainted Volvo yesterday doing the CMBT-Kanchipuram route. The white color, that looked so good and upmarket, is now changed to a cream color with stripes in dark shades of brown. Though this color looks clean, unique and not as bright as BMTC Volvos, I feel that the white was much better. Maybe, this paint scheme will grow on us as time passes by.

AlphaKilo · 18th January 2012, 02:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by arvi86

Well, just like MTC Chennai changed the color scheme of the regular buses in their fleet from blue to green once the new government came into power, it seems Volvos are also going to undergo a similar color change operation.

I spotted this repainted Volvo yesterday doing the CMBT-Kanchipuram route. The white color, that looked so good and upmarket, is now changed to a cream color with stripes in dark shades of brown. Though this color looks clean, unique and not as bright as BMTC Volvos, I feel that the white was much better. Maybe, this paint scheme will grow on us as time passes by.

All along i was so happy to see the white elephants in our MTC. Now why this lady pink!(no offence to the colour) but please! its was quite nice in white, atleast looking very pleasant with the olive green stripe, this looks ugly.

arvi86 · 18th January 2012, 06:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaKilo

All along i was so happy to see the white elephants in our MTC. Now why this lady pink!(no offence to the colour) but please! its was quite nice in white, atleast looking very pleasant with the olive green stripe, this looks ugly.

Though I agree to your point that the white Volvos looked so pleasant and nice in the MTC fleet, I wouldn't call this new color ugly. It kind of looks average and the color is very unique and still pleasant. But, its definitely not as good as the earlier paint scheme.

AlphaKilo · 18th January 2012, 17:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by arvi86

Though I agree to your point that the white Volvos looked so pleasant and nice in the MTC fleet, I wouldn't call this new color ugly. It kind of looks average and the color is very unique and still pleasant. But, its definitely not as good as the earlier paint scheme.

You are correct! Iam yet to see these newly painted buses in person, so just from this image i have commented my feelings. Btw, I heard that MTC might go for another 100 volvos or so, any updates on it? AshLey sir, do you have any info on it? I guess its been a while since we have been seeing these Mark I and II volvos on road, its high time MTC replaces them with new ones. Btw, as far as I have seen, volvos have been quite well maintained, not just in chennai but in every STC. Why cannot we change the whole fleet to such LF buses and provide more comfort to the public? how much will a LF bus cost/Km than any normal SLF ones? I understand there is this difficulty of bad roads, but my opinion is, if STCs go for LFs govt. would be forced to maintain the roads in condition or else these LF buses will surely burn a hole in their pocket. A blessing in disguise for other road users.

arvi86 · 18th January 2012, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaKilo

YBtw, I heard that MTC might go for another 100 volvos or so, any updates on it?

Wow! That's news to me. I was waiting to hear something like this. When cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore are moving ahead expanding their fleet of luxury city buses, MTC Chennai was stagnant with only the initial lot of Volvos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaKilo

I guess its been a while since we have been seeing these Mark I and II volvos on road, its high time MTC replaces them with new ones.

. It would be nice to see newer buses taking over from these tired but well-maintained Mark I & II Volvos.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaKilo

Btw, as far as I have seen, volvos have been quite well maintained, not just in chennai but in every STC.

I swear. If only all the STCs devote the same kind of attention and maintain the regular buses too like these Volvos, our cities' public transport system would look and feel much better.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaKilo

Why cannot we change the whole fleet to such LF buses and provide more comfort to the public? how much will a LF bus cost/Km than any normal SLF ones? I understand there is this difficulty of bad roads, but my opinion is, if STCs go for LFs govt. would be forced to maintain the roads in condition or else these LF buses will surely burn a hole in their pocket. A blessing in disguise for other road users.

I don't think its practically and economically feasible given the conditions of the roads and the STCs.

Sridhar K · 18th January 2012, 20:46

Was on a recent trip to Mantralayam, Nandhyal and Ahobilam on a Tempo traveller and was surprised to see quite a good number of Eicher buses. I was unware that APSRTC runs quite a good number of Eicher buses in addition to the AL and TML buses. Some of the Eichers looked old as well.

dhandapanik · 19th January 2012, 10:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sridhar K

Was on a recent trip to Mantralayam, Nandhyal and Ahobilam on a Tempo traveller and was surprised to see quite a good number of Eicher buses. I was unware that APSRTC runs quite a good number of Eicher buses in addition to the AL and TML buses. Some of the Eichers looked old as well.

Saw two such Eicher buses when i was in bangalore last month. Looks like all of them were brand new. Both of them were attached to Tadipatri(TDP) depot.

City Buses of various STUs all over India-dsc_0736.jpg

City Buses of various STUs all over India-dsc_0741.jpg

Ashley2 · 19th January 2012, 11:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sridhar K

...I was unware that APSRTC runs quite a good number of Eicher buses in addition to the AL and TML buses. Some of the Eichers looked old as well.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhandapanik

Saw two such Eicher buses when i was in bangalore last month. Looks like all of them were brand new. Both of them were attached to Tadipatri(TDP) depot.

APSRTC has ordered 400 units of 20.15 in Jnue and they are delivered starting from last October / November.

kiku007 · 20th January 2012, 10:13

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...type=3&theater

A too good to be true incident with MTC Chennai,

"TicketGoose
TRUE INCIDENT by Ranjani - Useful for people traveling in Chennai buses!!
True Incident happened for a lady who is a commuter in Chennai MTC!!
" I m working in Chennai One(Thoraipakkam), Chennai. I usually travelby
Metropolitan Transport Corporation(MTC) bus, from jain college stop (Which
is near to my office) to tidel park and from Tidel park I will catch train,
to home. MTC bus coming from kelambakkam(19B,21H) mostly wont stop in tidel
park in early days. So I usually prefer to get into T51 bus, which will
stop in tidel park stop. After some time 19B started stopping in tidel park
also.
Today while returning from office at around 8.30 pm, I was in a hurry to
catch my 9.28 pm train at Tidel park. I got up a bus(19B) in Jain College
at around 8.45 pm, and asked the conductor to give a ticket for tidel park
stop. He said, the bus wont stop there, and he asked me to get down at
signal if it stops there or else get down at stop next to tidel park. I was
argugingwith him that I am going daily with the same bus and get down in
the tidel park stop. But he kept on saying the same thing.. I got
irritated with conductor response. Suddenly I remembered a complaint phone
no.(9884301013) I read in one bus sometime back and noted down in my
mobile. I called that no. and said about the incident that conductor is not
stopping in the usual stop.
The MTC representative (person at the other end) asked me to give the phone
to the conductor. The conductor was not interested to talking with his
official. The MTC rep. asked me the bus registration no. He enquired where
is the bus at that time and I said it is in Kandhanchavadi. The MTC rep.
said he will come in the line and talk to them. I was curious how he will
come and catch the bus.
After few mins. the wireless transmeter(to track the bus), near the driver
in the bus started shouting... Driver stop the bus. Driver stop the bus in
the left side of the road. Driver was not sure what is happening may be his
first experience, for others(including me) it is the real first
experience. The driver stopped the bus and started listening to the
transmeter. The MTC rep. enquired why the bus is not stopping in tidel park
stop. The driver said he stops in tidel park stop and in the previous trip
also he has done. The rep. asked him then why the conductor is saying like
that. He asked the conductor what is the issue. The conductor was
speechless. The driver somehow managed the situation and supported the
conductor by saying that the conductor was new to this route. The driver
asked excuse for the incident and said he will stop in the Tidel Park stop
The MTC rep. said he wanted to talk the passenger who called him. I went
near the transmeter and spoke to the MTC rep. He said sorry for the
incident happened and asked sorry on behalf of MTC. Everyone in the bus
were surprised of things happening. I came back to my seat and I was so
embarrassed as all were looking at me. Few passengers asked me what is the
number, and whom I called. They also took the number. The bus stopped in Tidel Park
stop then. After getting down I called the MTC rep. and said the bus
stopped in the stopping.
It was a nice experience for me and others who traveled in the bus,
including driver and conductor and I was very surprised after this incident.
Yes, nowadays good things are happening in government sector also and
technology is used properly."
Complaint Phone no. for Chennai MTC bus: 9884301013,9445030516,9383337639"

silversteed · 20th January 2012, 11:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhandapanik

Eicher buses...

Front grill from Leyland, Headlamps from TM ;-)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashley2

APSRTC ... 20.15

What is the convention Eicher/VE follows for their chassis? AL & TM have this <gvw><bhp/10> 4-digit combination... Definitely 20.15 doesn't have a 20T GVW, and IIRC, it's got a 140bhp engine.

***********

Has anyone got a chance to travel in the AshLey Hybrids that were given for trials to BMTC?

binaiks · 20th January 2012, 12:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by silversteed

Has anyone got a chance to travel in the AshLey Hybrids that were given for trials to BMTC?

The bus running on trials with BMTC is a regular Diesel ULE bus. The Hybrid would reach BMTC only around mid of this year, as per reports.

Ashley2 · 20th January 2012, 12:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiku007

https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...type=3&theater

A too good to be true incident with MTC Chennai,
"

I am reading this mail for atleast 2 years since now.
To my knowledge the authour has some inspiration from Vijayakanth Movie

kiku007 · 20th January 2012, 16:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashley2

I am reading this mail for atleast 2 years since now.
To my knowledge the authour has some inspiration from Vijayakanth Movie

OMG! Good scripting skills indeed.

BTW do we have any compiled data on the bus fares across the different cities? Took MTC after a long time in the past week and realised that coins aren't enough to buy tickets, only notes

Marcopolo SLF Mandaveli to Madhya Kailash / 3 ish Kms and 3 stops - Rs.11 (In the 90s I remember paying Rs.1.10 for this route)
Volvo AC - Thiruvanmiyur to Mandhaveli / 6 ish Kms and 3 stops - Rs.30
Volvo AC - Tambaram to Mandhaveli / Don't know the Kms - Rs.45

Personally I don't mind paying but how do the daily wage earners for e.g. manage? Ofcourse they aren't taking the Volvos. But the SLFs are quite large in numbers.

8th January 2012, 09:31	#796
AkMar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,184 Thanked: 2,609 Times	Re: City Buses of various STUs all over India A bus-fan friend of mine travelled in the CNG Volvo yesterday. His opinion too is similar to mine. The bus is an extremely capable product.
	() Thanks

15th January 2012, 10:44	#797
AkMar Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,184 Thanked: 2,609 Times	Re: City Buses of various STUs all over India I travelled in the CNG Volvo again yesterday, this time for a longer distance (around 8-9 km). The driver was the same as last journey, but he was driving much more aggressively yesterday. In the first journey he barely exceeded 1300-1400 rpm, but yesterday he went upto 2000 rpm a few times. The bus was climbing gradients effortlessly, overtaking vehicles easily even while climbing. Got the chance to judge the bus in a better way yesterday. The engine, as expected, is sluggish compared to the diesel Volvo, but still the bus is no slouch. It has more than adequate power for the city. NVH levels are well controlled. I travelled in the CNG Volvo and Kinglong back to back on the same seat & the difference in NVH levels is instantly noticeable! There were no engine vibrations in the Volvo on the first seat, whereas some vibrations do reach the first seat of Kinglong. The engine is very silent on the outside too. A big to the bus Having said that, I would like to add that the Kinglong is the king of low end CNG AC city buses. Tata Marcopolo and Ashok Leyland ULE do not come close to the Kinglong. The Volvo and Kinglong are good in their own places. Attached another pic clicked yesterday. Attached Thumbnails
	(3) Thanks

17th January 2012, 20:58	#798
arvi86 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,162 Thanked: 995 Times View My Garage	Re: City Buses of various STUs all over India Well, just like MTC Chennai changed the color scheme of the regular buses in their fleet from blue to green once the new government came into power, it seems Volvos are also going to undergo a similar color change operation. I spotted this repainted Volvo yesterday doing the CMBT-Kanchipuram route. The white color, that looked so good and upmarket, is now changed to a cream color with stripes in dark shades of brown. Though this color looks clean, unique and not as bright as BMTC Volvos, I feel that the white was much better. Maybe, this paint scheme will grow on us as time passes by. Attached Thumbnails
	(1) Thanks

18th January 2012, 20:46	#803
Sridhar K BHPian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Chennai Posts: 753 Thanked: 514 Times	Re: City Buses of various STUs all over India Was on a recent trip to Mantralayam, Nandhyal and Ahobilam on a Tempo traveller and was surprised to see quite a good number of Eicher buses. I was unware that APSRTC runs quite a good number of Eicher buses in addition to the AL and TML buses. Some of the Eichers looked old as well.
	() Thanks

20th January 2012, 10:13	#806
kiku007 Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: AU Posts: 2,409 Thanked: 8,558 Times	MTC Chennai Customer Service https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.ph...type=3&theater A too good to be true incident with MTC Chennai, "TicketGoose TRUE INCIDENT by Ranjani - Useful for people traveling in Chennai buses!! True Incident happened for a lady who is a commuter in Chennai MTC!! " I m working in Chennai One(Thoraipakkam), Chennai. I usually travelby Metropolitan Transport Corporation(MTC) bus, from jain college stop (Which is near to my office) to tidel park and from Tidel park I will catch train, to home. MTC bus coming from kelambakkam(19B,21H) mostly wont stop in tidel park in early days. So I usually prefer to get into T51 bus, which will stop in tidel park stop. After some time 19B started stopping in tidel park also. Today while returning from office at around 8.30 pm, I was in a hurry to catch my 9.28 pm train at Tidel park. I got up a bus(19B) in Jain College at around 8.45 pm, and asked the conductor to give a ticket for tidel park stop. He said, the bus wont stop there, and he asked me to get down at signal if it stops there or else get down at stop next to tidel park. I was argugingwith him that I am going daily with the same bus and get down in the tidel park stop. But he kept on saying the same thing.. I got irritated with conductor response. Suddenly I remembered a complaint phone no.(9884301013) I read in one bus sometime back and noted down in my mobile. I called that no. and said about the incident that conductor is not stopping in the usual stop. The MTC representative (person at the other end) asked me to give the phone to the conductor. The conductor was not interested to talking with his official. The MTC rep. asked me the bus registration no. He enquired where is the bus at that time and I said it is in Kandhanchavadi. The MTC rep. said he will come in the line and talk to them. I was curious how he will come and catch the bus. After few mins. the wireless transmeter(to track the bus), near the driver in the bus started shouting... Driver stop the bus. Driver stop the bus in the left side of the road. Driver was not sure what is happening may be his first experience, for others(including me) it is the real first experience. The driver stopped the bus and started listening to the transmeter. The MTC rep. enquired why the bus is not stopping in tidel park stop. The driver said he stops in tidel park stop and in the previous trip also he has done. The rep. asked him then why the conductor is saying like that. He asked the conductor what is the issue. The conductor was speechless. The driver somehow managed the situation and supported the conductor by saying that the conductor was new to this route. The driver asked excuse for the incident and said he will stop in the Tidel Park stop The MTC rep. said he wanted to talk the passenger who called him. I went near the transmeter and spoke to the MTC rep. He said sorry for the incident happened and asked sorry on behalf of MTC. Everyone in the bus were surprised of things happening. I came back to my seat and I was so embarrassed as all were looking at me. Few passengers asked me what is the number, and whom I called. They also took the number. The bus stopped in Tidel Park stop then. After getting down I called the MTC rep. and said the bus stopped in the stopping. It was a nice experience for me and others who traveled in the bus, including driver and conductor and I was very surprised after this incident. Yes, nowadays good things are happening in government sector also and technology is used properly." Complaint Phone no. for Chennai MTC bus: 9884301013,9445030516,9383337639"
	(2) Thanks