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KeSRTC Scania bus:


KSRTC SCANIA : Garuda-Maharaja Inauguration Pictures

KSRTC’s Brand New Garuda Maharaja Scania Images

The KSRTC has rechristened their luxury services:
Volvo 2-axle - Garuda Sanchari (Sanchari = Traveller)
Volvo multi-axle - Garuda King Class
Scania multi-axle - Garuda Maharaja

Though I have reservations on the naming, I hope the corporation files for trademark et al, lest some other company should lay claim to these names. APSRTC already uses the Garuda moniker on their Volvo & Merc coaches

I believe TSRTC (Telangana) has retained the Garuda name for their Volvo/Merc buses. I saw a couple of new APSRTC multi axle Volvos with the name 'Amaravati' a few days back

The KSRTC has launched Wi-Fi facility in their Garuda Multi-Axle Volvo services



Earlier, the Silver Line Jet class of services were launched with free WiFi on board. Heard that the popularity of this class was not that great as the buses were regular coaches with push-back seats as the only creature comfort, not even an air suspension, but fares were higher than Super Deluxe class.

Nevertheless, the move to provide WiFi in the AC services is welcome, and the new MD does seem to have a vision to improve the corporation.

Image credit: KSRTC Official FB page

Was in Guruvayur, Kerala over the weekend and spotted a bus called "A1 Travels" which is running an AC service between Palakkad and Guruvayoor ! Could not take a pic as I did not have my phone with me but I have so far not seen any private AC services for the short distance routes anywhere in South India. Anyone seen / aware of this or other such services that exist?

Am aware that KeSRTC and TNSTC do ply the Volvo 8400 series built for intra-city use on short-medium haul services such as Chennai - Trichy, Calicut - Kochi etc.

Greenline Express and UFO have AC buses (the latter used to ply a TT) between Palakkad and Ekm. There were a couple of private buses in the news, between Palakkad and Thrissur. I don't recollect the name, but I do remember seeing a Vadakkenchery-based operator who started an AC service very recently

It's the KURTC, and not KSRTC that plies the 8400LEs. KURTC has services between Thrissur and Tvm too - too long a distance to be covered in these city buses, IMO. I have a vague memory of seeing a Palakkad-Tvm AC LF bus too, but it doesn't show up in the KURTC website.

I presume you are referring to the route via Pattambi here.
Then, I do remember I have seen :thumbs up this one quite a few months back near/or after the time when KURTC launched their AC city buses in various routes in a phases manner (I had travelled in KURTC during May'15 to Pattambi, and it was around that time)

There is one operator having an AC service between Vytilla Hub (Ernakualm) and Pathanmthitta via Pala. (the usual private bus route) He has one service around 2 PM and may be more. Unfortuantely did not remember the name.

There was one Parasuram travels that was running AC stage carrier, originating from Sultan Battery and another Prasad travels that was running Ekm , Parassinikadavu. These were featured earlier in this same thread, I think 2010 or so. Are these services still active ?

AFAIK, these services have now made way for KSRTC Super-class services (Super Deluxe/Super Express/Super Fast), based on a High Court ruling to that effect.
Scheme for private super-class service
KSRTC replaces private super-class services

The government has overturned that by bringing in another ordinance. Now KSRTC operates Super Class buses (Fast Passenger and above) while Private operators operate the same route with cheaper Ordinary class buses. Earlier, there was a ruling that Ordinary buses cannot operate distance over 160kms - this has been removed as well, now.

The operator is 'Kuzhuppil', and they use an AL Viking with air suspension and slave-engine for the AC, to ply Palakkad-Thrissur. Saw their bus this afternoon. I have a vague memory of another operator too.

KSRTC awaits nod for 18 Scania buses
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/c...w/51736933.cms

A few of the buses have replaced some existing services:


Needless to say, Mangalapuram is Mangalore a.k.a Mangaluru.

http://www.ksrtconline.com/KERALAOnline/

In the hot summer days there's an interesting phenomenon seen on Palakkad-Thrissur route. There are a few private buses that are air-conditioned yet charge the usual 'Limited Stop' fare. People who are not in a hurry, wait for these buses and do not get into the regular, non-AC buses. This started affecting the daily collection - negatively for the non-AC buses and positively for the AC buses. The former are in greater numbers and they approached the RTO to make the latter replace the AC buses with non-AC ones. The authorities finally found a way out to clamp the 'erring' operators - those buses are not registered as AC coaches, and addition of the AC system is an illegal modification done to the vehicle. With the rains round the corner, this will fizzle out soon. But I think it's a retrograde step on the part of the RTO. The govt companies, KSRTC and KURTC should invest in more AC coaches, as these private players have proved that they can remain profitable even by playing the AC buses at ordinary or LS fares