[Klub Class]

KeSRTC to start Calicut - Mumbai multiaxle bus service in January 2016. I hope they employ two drivers per bus instead of one driver and one conductor

Also,

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation will run air-conditioned multi-axle buses to Goa, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Maharashtra soon. Around 20 AC buses will be procured for the new interstate services.

SOURCE : http://www.ksrtcblog.com/news/ksrtc-...ice-by-january

[SchumiFan]

Does KeSRTC have something against Tamil Nadu?

No buses at all from Chennai to any destination in Kerala from them.
People have to depend purely on private operators or trains.

Can't see any reasoning for them not to employ at least a couple to main hubs like Cochin, Ernakulam, Trivandrum.

[swiftdiesel]

Originally Posted by SchumiFan

Does KeSRTC have something against Tamil Nadu?

No buses at all from Chennai to any destination in Kerala from them.
People have to depend purely on private operators or trains.

Can't see any reasoning for them not to employ at least a couple to main hubs like Cochin, Ernakulam, Trivandrum.

I reckon it's to do with the permit agreement between the two states. For KeSRTC to reach Chennai from any destination in Kerala involves them running the major distance in TN state and this is a problem - because there's a cap on the total mileage for inter-state operations. TN government will not allow that to protect private interest. I'm not sure but the distance that a KeSRTC service can do in TN is capped at about 200 kms (experts can confirm) or less. It so happens fortunately for TN to run buses to Trivandrum because the capital city lies on the KL-TN border unlike Chennai.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by SchumiFan

No buses at all from Chennai to any destination in Kerala from them.
People have to depend purely on private operators or trains.

Originally Posted by swiftdiesel

I reckon it's to do with the permit agreement between the two states. For KeSRTC to reach Chennai from any destination in Kerala involves them running the major distance in TN state and this is a problem - because there's a cap on the total mileage for inter-state operations. TN government will not allow that to protect private interest. I'm not sure but the distance that a KeSRTC service can do in TN is capped at about 200 kms (experts can confirm) or less. It so happens fortunately for TN to run buses to Trivandrum because the capital city lies on the KL-TN border unlike Chennai.

The reason cited is that there are agreements on the total number of kilometres that the KSRTC and TN STCs (SETC, TNSTCs) can run in each others' territories. If the KSRTC runs a total of 5000km (across all routes, all services) on TN roads, then the TN STCs should also have a similar number of km allowed inside KL territory. KSRTC already has a sizeable number of services between border towns (Palakkad-Coimbatore, TVM-Kanyakumari, etc) and a few of the long distance routes such as TVM-Bangalore, KTM-Bangalore, EKM-Bangalore, TSR-Bangalore, PLKD-Bangalore do use TN roads (the PLKD-Bangalore runs inside TN territory for about 300km of the total 420km trip). For the TN services to cover as many km as the KSRTC, they can run long distance services to practically any place in Kerala - which they do.

This is one reason why there are more regular services to Bangalore via Mysore and Nilambur than via Salem-Hosur. Same reason why there are more KaSRTC services to Kerala destinations than there are KSRTC services to KA destinations

[Dieseltuned]

Originally Posted by silversteed

The reason cited is that there are agreements on the total number of kilometres that the KSRTC and TN STCs (SETC, TNSTCs) can run in each others' territories.

Dear Sir,

Just out of curiosity, is this type of agreement also present between Maharashtra and Karnataka ? I see many Airavat Volvos belonging to KSRTC coming to Bombay but do not know if Maharashtra reciprocates it with its Shivneri services to Bangalore ? Is this KM cap valid across all types of buses ?

Regards
Dieseltuned

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by Dieseltuned

Just out of curiosity, is this type of agreement also present between Maharashtra and Karnataka ? I see many Airavat Volvos belonging to KSRTC coming to Bombay but do not know if Maharashtra reciprocates it with its Shivneri services to Bangalore ? Is this KM cap valid across all types of buses ?

Sorry, I do not have the finer details. Since I follow the KSRTC's (Kerala) updates, I got to know the info I'd posted. My guess is, there has to be similar agreements between KA and MH as well for KaSRTC & MSRTC, but how they split the km cap is beyond what I know. Doesn't the MSRTC ply those Asiad buses to places in KA and AP/TS?

Please wait for the more knowledgeable folks - @binaiks, @dandapanik and others - to comment.

[Rahul Rao]

MSRTC is not not reciprocating with the allowed no of buses from maharashtra to Karnataka. They have the exchange agreement with Karnataka, but due to higher rates they cannot run the buses profitably.

Wrong scrap interval followed by all except KSRTC,
Volvo buses are supposed to have a usable life of 12 Years or 30,00,000 km (30 Lakh km) for intercity application and 12 Year 12,00,000 km for in city use.
Older non TC Tata and Leyland had an life of 9 Years or 9,90,000 km where they had to be scrapped, most STC's followed a 7 Year 7 lakh km, so as to gain a decent scrap value. This was increased to 12 Year 17,50,000 km in mid 90's when Turbo charged engines, modern air brakes etc came up.
As MSRTC, TNSTC rtc follow same life factor for calculating fares of Chassis on body and semi integral (Volvo, Scania etc) buses. They keep aside more for depretiation, and say Volvo's are operationally costlier.

Rahul

[adithya.kp]

Does anybody know how much does a 2+1 non a/c sleeper bus cost? (Tata or Ashok) I mean the complete bus with body building included. I know it varies depending on builder, veera, prakash etc. But on an average how much does it cost?
Not that I am planning buy one :-). But I am big fan of these buses and always wondered how the operators manage with such low occupancy.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by Rahul Rao

...
Wrong scrap interval followed by all except KSRTC,
Volvo buses are supposed to have a usable life of 12 Years or 30,00,000 km (30 Lakh km) for intercity application and 12 Year 12,00,000 km for in city use.
Older non TC Tata and Leyland had an life of 9 Years or 9,90,000 km where they had to be scrapped, most STC's followed a 7 Year 7 lakh km, so as to gain a decent scrap value. This was increased to 12 Year 17,50,000 km in mid 90's when Turbo charged engines, modern air brakes etc came up.
As MSRTC, TNSTC rtc follow same life factor for calculating fares of Chassis on body and semi integral (Volvo, Scania etc) buses. They keep aside more for depretiation, and say Volvo's are operationally costlier.

Rahul

Volvo cant have more than 20lks for Intercity application. The highest is around 23 lks but the average scrape mileage will be around 20 lks only.
For AL and Tata depending on states it varies from 7 lks to 8 lks or 8 yrs. Normally if chassis condition is good they refurbish and use it in city application in tier2 and tire3 cities.

[Rahul Rao]

To my knowledge Volvo has sent a notice to KSRTC that the first lot of Airavat buses supplied to them have already completed 30 lak km and need to be scrapped. The Shivneri Volvo buses contracted by MSRTC complete about 7 lakh km in their third year before the contract is renewed depending on condition of the bus. Most buses with 7 Lakh km are looking fresh and as good as new. It is after 11-12 Lakh km that we hear body noise etc if maintenance is not proper.

Rahul

[Orange GTX]

Hi Guys,

Can anybody pls let me know where in Bangalore, Maharashtra State Transport buses start or end their journey for Mumbai?

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by Orange GTX

Hi Guys,

Can anybody pls let me know where in Bangalore, Maharashtra State Transport buses start or end their journey for Mumbai?

At Kempegowda Bus Station, aka Majestic.

[McLaren Rulez]

Hi. Can anyone tell me if there are bus services from Delhi airport to Chandigarh city overnight? The internet shows that there are but has anyone used these? I arrive in Delhi around 10 p.m. on a weekday and need to get to Chandigarh as soon as possible. Thanks

[Orange GTX]

Originally Posted by binaiks

At Kempegowda Bus Station, aka Majestic.

Thanks a lot Friend. Really appreciate.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by amitdatta92

I have a question. Why hasn't any OEM succeeded big time with a bi-axle front engine intercity fully built coach till today?

In order to succeed in this industry, the operators should find a value-add for FBVs (Fully Built Vehicles) which should be able to bring in more profits. The major players in the bodywork industry already provide enough comfort and quality for the price. AL had tried with their Luxura (RE) and Limo (FE) coaches, Tata tried their Hispano Divo (RE) - but their list prices were much higher than what an operator would spend for a chassis and bodywork from Sutlej/SMK/Veera/JCBL etc. The brand perception is different for AL/Tata/Eicher and Volvo/Scania/Merc. The latter is a player in only the luxury segment, where the numbers are far less for the volume players to try to invest in products and compete with the established names. Tata is planning to launch their Magna FBVs to compete with the AL 12M based coaches. If it succeeds, then we will have an answer to your question. Else, the market will have to wait for consolidation, pushed by regulations on body work.