[binaiks]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Strangely this is the only bus I have seen with this kind of door opening for driver.

All Volvos with a driver door have this design - they are all opened manually.

[Ashley2]

@Binai, Silversteed:

Will the drievr doors not hinged to A Pillar? I thought that way!

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Will the drievr doors not hinged to A Pillar? I thought that way!

No. In the Volvo the mechanism is different. In case of a Merc, its hinged to the A-Pillar. Here is a pic of a Merc with its driver door open:



Here is a Volvo B7RLE (8400) with its driver door open. Both the 9400 and 8400 share the same mechanism for driver door opening

[conjon]

peters have 2 permits operating as super express on Kottayam- Panathur(kasargod) every day and one service operating Kumily- panathur as super express on alternate days. This service starts and ends at mundakkayam eventhough the permit is upto kumily.

Jacobs are operating one service from ktm to Vellarikkundu -ballal(kasargod)
Another two services are operated by them between Ktm and Kattappana.

Most Kizhakkan buses are parked normally at the maidan between Shastri road and Nagampadom and at the beena petrol station.
Few are parked at the plaza petrol station near collectorate including the jacob's ballal service. the manchakattil bus can be seen here as well.
sometimes i've seen the Jacobs bus parked at the petrol station between kalathipady and vadavathoor.
glad to know ac bus trend is catching on in ktm.

[silversteed]

So, has the KSRTC finally decided to go for more powerful AshLey buses? Going by the Kerala RTO's data, this bus has got a 160bhp engine.

Does this bus have the front passenger door in the FOH? Any more info about the new batch of buses? Binai - you there?

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by silversteed

Attachment 843413
Attachment 843414

So, has the KSRTC finally decided to go for more powerful AshLey buses? Going by the Kerala RTO's data, this bus has got a 160bhp engine.

Does this bus have the front passenger door in the FOH? Any more info about the new batch of buses? Binai - you there?

This is great news if true. Love the new look of the front end with the new grill design and a welcome return for twin headlamps. I don't think there are doors in the FOH.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by silversteed

So, has the KSRTC finally decided to go for more powerful AshLey buses? Going by the Kerala RTO's data, this bus has got a 160bhp engine.

Does this bus have the front passenger door in the FOH? Any more info about the new batch of buses? Binai - you there?

They had called tenders for buses with "Electronic Fuel Pumps" - but these are not with EDCs. We would have seen 180hp ones if they had purchased those EDC ones.

The ones now are 160hp buses. They do not have a door on the FOH - I think the Kerala MV Rules do not allow doors on the FOH for two-door buses. The doors are manual (There was an order calling for pneumatic doors in all Stage carriages - i think that order is put off now) not automatic.

Two such Super Fasts, and some 13 Fast Passengers were built.

They have ordered for 300 Leylands and 200 Tatas. Not sure of the specs of the TATA. Delivery of the TATA Chassis have not yet begun.

[Transsenger]

Originally Posted by binaiks

They had called tenders for buses with "Electronic Fuel Pumps" - but these are not with EDCs. We would have seen 180hp ones if they had purchased those EDC ones.

They have ordered for 300 Leylands and 200 Tatas. Not sure of the specs of the TATA. Delivery of the TATA Chassis have not yet begun.

Thank god...they did not go for EDC ones! BTW, it could be that AL would not have offered that version, since, they have "Viking iL" BS3 with conventional Inline FIP...guss!
Meanwhile Tata could be LP1512 BS3 with Cummins 24Valve engine 130Hp. Having seen an LPO chassis given for demo at Papanamcode some time back, wonder why Ksrtc is not going for LPO1512 version?

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by Transsenger

Thank god...they did not go for EDC ones! BTW, it could be that AL would not have offered that version, since, they have "Viking iL" BS3 with conventional Inline FIP...guss!
Meanwhile Tata could be LP1512 BS3 with Cummins 24Valve engine 130Hp. Having seen an LPO chassis given for demo at Papanamcode some time back, wonder why Ksrtc is not going for LPO1512 version?

KeSRTC had asked TATA and AL for trial buses before they bought them - both companies had given 10 buses each for trial. The AL ones were EDC ones, while the TATA were Inline ones. KeSRTC operated them as Ordinary, Fast Passenger and Super Fast. (Selected depots were given one AL for every TATA on trial, and both would be of the same category - the depots were asked for feedback on them).

Following the trial, KeSRTC called tenders for buses with EDC specifically - but the buses supplied are not the EDC ones. So I guess, either KeSRTC watered down the specifications, or the order was split between EDC and IL ones.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by binaiks

I think the Kerala MV Rules do not allow doors on the FOH for two-door buses. The doors are manual (There was an order calling for pneumatic doors in all Stage carriages - i think that order is put off now) not automatic.

I keep wondering what's the logic behind keeping the front door behind the front axle in a two-door bus! If single-door buses can have it in front of the front axle, then why not these buses too?

Originally Posted by Transsenger

Thank god...they did not go for EDC ones! BTW, it could be that AL would not have offered that version, since, they have "Viking iL" BS3 with conventional Inline FIP...guss!

What's the problem with EDC'ed ALs? True that Viking iL's available, but when the tender specifically asked for EDC, why would they refrain from supplying them and supply the mechanical FIP'ed ones?

Originally Posted by binaiks

They have ordered for 300 Leylands and 200 Tatas. Not sure of the specs of the TATA. Delivery of the TATA Chassis have not yet begun.

This is a welcome change - a better ratio of Leylands to Tatas. Hope some of those 300 Leylands (assuming they're all 160hp versios) replace the aging Super Deluxe buses that are in operation

[Transsenger]

Originally Posted by binaiks

KeSRTC had asked TATA and AL for trial buses before they bought them - both companies had given 10 buses each for trial. The AL ones were EDC ones, while the TATA were Inline ones.

Following the trial, KeSRTC called tenders for buses with EDC specifically - but the buses supplied are not the EDC ones. So I guess, either KeSRTC watered down the specifications, or the order was split between EDC and IL ones.

KeSRTC received those BS3 buses for trial during mid 2010 (approx). AL presented the EDC version as "viking iL" was not yet ready then. Meanwhile TML ones were with RotaryFIP and not Inline.
Following the trials, KeSRTC called tenders, in which, it was specified "Electronic" or "Mechanical" type...ie, both. So do not think it was watered down. Meanwhile, do not know, if the order is split between EDC & IL.

Originally Posted by silversteed

What's the problem with EDC'ed ALs? True that Viking iL's available, but when the tender specifically asked for EDC, why would they refrain from supplying them and supply the mechanical FIP'ed ones?

The problem is not with EDC'ed AL's, but with KeSRTC! The conventional Inline FIP is most siutable for KeSRTC's maintenance practices and attitudes.

The VikingIL is becoming the star performer in the market, if reports from Private segment is to be believed. It has more power and better torque, enabling quick pickup without much compromise on mileage. Its a huge hit in high range areas.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by silversteed

This is a welcome change - a better ratio of Leylands to Tatas. Hope some of those 300 Leylands (assuming they're all 160hp versios) replace the aging Super Deluxe buses that are in operation

They haven't called tenders for any bus with Air Suspension - so I guess replacing those Super Deluxe buses are not being considered at the moment. This tender was only for 500 buses, while the minister had declared they'd purchase 1000 buses - this particular minister has this fancy of declaring grand ideas. So cannot be sure if they'd purchase a total of 1000 buses atleast over their tenure.

May be replacement for the Super Deluxes would come in the next lot - or may be KeSRTC would shut down Super Deluxe services for ever and replace them with Expresses.

Originally Posted by Transsenger

The VikingIL is becoming the star performer in the market, if reports from Private segment is to be believed. It has more power and better torque, enabling quick pickup without much compromise on mileage. Its a huge hit in high range areas.

Very true - have traveled in a couple of new Leylands operated by private guys. The pickup is too good, and they are able to "compete" with other buses on the route very easily.

The EDC Leylands sound very different - they sound almost like the old 697 engined TATAs. (Atleast the EDC Leylands with KeSRTC sound so). The IL ones are much well behaved and sound levels are low as well.

Its a good thing that KeSRTC went in for the 160hp ones - if they are getting the EDC ones, it would be an icing on the cake as well.

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by binaiks

Following the trial, KeSRTC called tenders for buses with EDC specifically - but the buses supplied are not the EDC ones. So I guess, either KeSRTC watered down the specifications, or the order was split between EDC and IL ones.

One reason could be availability to meet the timelines. There could some shortage of EDC ones..my wild guess. Normally STCs place the firm order at the last minute and always in a hurry to get it delivered. Sabarimala season is round the corner and need new buses.
Good to see the order split between AL and TM, No Eicher and Izuzu at least for the time being.
Also last govt used to publisize "1000 new buses per year"..so the current govt can not be less. But whether the govt will last an entire year is another topic..

[Ashley2]

@KeSRTC : 500 (ordered)+500(waiting for funds)+160(expected to come in near future)

[coolclouds]

Saw this BMTC bus in Jayanagar today. Looked little longer (?) than the old ones though I am not sure.