[dhandapanik]

An AshLey 12M bus running as City bus in Palani. This is really a surprise catch for me. Even many important cities and towns in TN are yet to get a 12M city bus, but Palani got it now and it is running to an interior village route. Till date i have seen only 2 AshLey 12M city bus. Do we have any more AshLey 12M city buses in TN? We have 3 TML LPO 1612 private city buses(Excluding JNNURM Marcopolos in Chennai/Coimbatore/Madurai) running in Coimbatore city. Expecting to see more 12M city buses on road.

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by dhandapanik

An AshLey 12M bus running as City bus in Palani. This is really a surprise catch for me. Even many important cities and towns in TN are yet to get a 12M city bus, but Palani got it now and it is running to an interior village route. ...

That's due the strong influence from operators like SRK, SST, Kalaimagal. They are all mostly close related and due to the success of one other is also influenced to induct one. AL has also responded to some specific requirements of stage carriage operators to use 12M.

[v1kram]

Originally Posted by dhandapanik

An AshLey 12M bus running as City bus in Palani. This is really a surprise catch for me. Even many important cities and towns in TN are yet to get a 12M city bus, but Palani got it now and it is running to an interior village route. Till date i have seen only 2 AshLey 12M city bus. Do we have any more AshLey 12M city buses in TN? We have 3 TML LPO 1612 private city buses(Excluding JNNURM Marcopolos in Chennai/Coimbatore/Madurai) running in Coimbatore city. Expecting to see more 12M city buses on road.

Attachment 971493

Attachment 971494

I hope the two Leyland 12m city buses you have mentioned above is Sapthagiri, if not add them to your list. AFAIK, they are the first to implement 12m in city atleast in Coimbatore district.

Apart from the 3 Vee Vee's (Tata 12m) running in the city, fourth 12m is ready to hit the road in couple of days (route 19G, RVS SVJ) built by SRT Coach. The bus is ready for past few weeks but the delay in launch is due to a condolence in the operator's family.

Main concern with the operators (atleast small operator's) is fuel economy, which keeps them away from opting 12m especially in city routes. Even some are not happy with BS3 Leyland 222WB mileage when compered with BS2 (another reason for few operators to opt second hand BS2 buses).

You can see a sudden increase in the number of TATA's (around 10 new buses this year) among private operators in Coimbatore, one of the main reason is the chassis cost and the other being 135HP option which as per some gives better mileage than BS3 Leyland.

[Autokrat]

Originally Posted by v1kram

Main concern with the operators (atleast small operator's) is fuel economy, which keeps them away from opting 12m especially in city routes. Even some are not happy with BS3 Leyland 222WB mileage when compered with BS2 (another reason for few operators to opt second hand BS2 buses).

12M BS3 from leyland is also available with the same engine options as BS3 Viking (160, 185 hp) and therefore mileage could be comparable with that of a Viking. The issue could be the ease of negotiating the town roads compared to a 210/222" Viking.

[v1kram]

Originally Posted by Autokrat

12M BS3 from leyland is also available with the same engine options as BS3 Viking (160, 185 hp) and therefore mileage could be comparable with that of a Viking. The issue could be the ease of negotiating the town roads compared to a 210/222" Viking.

Though 12m Leyland is available with 160 HP option, issue is with the mileage. Since operators feel that 222" fuel consumption is little on the higher side, it will be even worse in the case of 12m with same engine option. 210" wise it is okay.

Driveability within the city is another concern as mentioned by you, but again there are plenty 12m Marco's running in the city alongside with few private 12m buses (may be driver's would complain regarding the same).

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by v1kram

Main concern with the operators (atleast small operator's) is fuel economy, which keeps them away from opting 12m especially in city routes. Even some are not happy with BS3 Leyland 222WB mileage when compered with BS2 (another reason for few operators to opt second hand BS2 buses).

You can see a sudden increase in the number of TATA's (around 10 new buses this year) among private operators in Coimbatore, one of the main reason is the chassis cost and the other being 135HP option which as per some gives better mileage than BS3 Leyland.

Tata is giving a huge discount upto 1.5 lks to 2 lks in LPO 1612. The mileage in AL BS III is tad less comparable to BS II but to my knowledge its almost same across all the products with the same engine. That's due to higher hp versions in BS III as aganist BS II.
160 IL has comparable mileage in 222", 210" and in 12M. This is evidenced in many STU's. But in case of private opertors especially in the city and stage carriage application there is a considerable increase in the number of passengers carried and so there will be a drop of 0.1 to 0.2 max.

[v1kram]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Tata is giving a huge discount upto 1.5 lks to 2 lks in LPO 1612. The mileage in AL BS III is tad less comparable to BS II but to my knowledge its almost same across all the products with the same engine. That's due to higher hp versions in BS III as aganist BS II.
160 IL has comparable mileage in 222", 210" and in 12M. This is evidenced in many STU's. But in case of private opertors especially in the city and stage carriage application there is a considerable increase in the number of passengers carried and so there will be a drop of 0.1 to 0.2 max.

The price difference between the chassis is almost 3 lakhs (including the discount) which is also one of the main reason for operators to consider Tata.
Not sure about the exact mileage figures as it differs in each route, but those who shifted to Tata are bit happy with the mileage.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Tata is giving a huge discount upto 1.5 lks to 2 lks in LPO 1612...

Originally Posted by v1kram

The price difference between the chassis is almost 3 lakhs...

Can somebody teach the guys in AL a few lessons in Marketing and Advertising? They have a really good portfolio and very good products, but extremely lacklustre sales and marketing, compared to TM.

The interstate buses run by private operators are all Leyland, yet KaSRTC uses ONLY LPO1616c chassis for their new Rajahamsa buses. KeSRTC Super Expresses, once a forte of Leyland, now have a lot many LPO1612c than it used to be.

What is wrong with AshLey?

[v1kram]

Originally Posted by silversteed

Can somebody teach the guys in AL a few lessons in Marketing and Advertising? They have a really good portfolio and very good products, but extremely lacklustre sales and marketing, compared to TM.

The interstate buses run by private operators are all Leyland, yet KaSRTC uses ONLY LPO1616c chassis for their new Rajahamsa buses. KeSRTC Super Expresses, once a forte of Leyland, now have a lot many LPO1612c than it used to be.

What is wrong with AshLey?

AFAIK, only this year Tata's team was active (atleast in Coimbatore District) and to capture some market they provided huge discounts to private operators. Also, they did arrange a factory visit to Lucknow for private operators to show their facilities (though this happened earlier as well). Their effort was paid off since few operators shifted to Tata this year due to earlier mentioned reasons.

With reference to KaSRTC going for LPO1616, I read somewhere that they wanted to maintain uniformity for some reason (may be ease of maintenance) and Tata's use similar /same brand retarders that comes in Volvo's and Mercedes Benz buses.
FYI, SRM operates few LPO 1616/18 buses for Interstate operations (the newer lot being built by Prakash under Zedone design).

[teamveevee]

Originally Posted by Ashley2

Tata is giving a huge discount upto 1.5 lks to 2 lks in LPO 1612. The mileage in AL BS III is tad less comparable to BS II but to my knowledge its almost same across all the products with the same engine. That's due to higher hp versions in BS III as aganist BS II.
160 IL has comparable mileage in 222", 210" and in 12M. This is evidenced in many STU's. But in case of private opertors especially in the city and stage carriage application there is a considerable increase in the number of passengers carried and so there will be a drop of 0.1 to 0.2 max.

Most private operators look for lower powered engines (hoping for better milage). AL engines start from 160 and Tata at 140, few operators will prefer Tata with 140 for higher milage. They are used to 110 engines, so 140 itself is a boost. If this favours Tata, i am sure, AL could offer a 140 version, but looks like even Neputne range starts from 160. Difference in strategy, only time will tell who is right...

[Autokrat]

Originally Posted by teamveevee

Most private operators look for lower powered engines (hoping for better milage).
======
Difference in strategy, only time will tell who is right...

Agree. In a city / town operation higher power would mean faster accelerations and wastage of fuel. AL could also bring out a lower power BS3 variant engine.

[Jimmyjosek]

I hope 12 m Leylands too fall in the Viking category. If so,

Here is the king of all Vikings. Parasuram, Sulthanbathery-Parur Superfast. Via Kozhikode, Guruvayoor, Kodungalloor. Specialties of the bus are:

1. Has a CRS BS-III engine with 224 HP
2. 36 ton AC, engine driven
3. Dynamic retarder brakes
4. Full air suspension
5. GPS system announcing next stop and also displaying on TV screen
6. Alloy wheels
7. Monocoque suspension without support bars built by Shillybear, trissur

The owner, Mr. Rajasekaran, seen in the last foto is a small time operator with big dreams from Wayanad. He has been in the bus business since a child. Now he is a flag bearer of Ashol Leyland buses in Kerala. Wayanad used to be a Tata dominated territory once. Now it is dominated by Leylands. Thanks to Rajettan

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by Jimmyjosek

I hope 12 m Leylands too fall in the Viking category

The 12M has a dedicated thread, so posting my queries here

Originally Posted by Jimmyjosek

1. Has a CRS BS-III engine with 224 HP

But there's a sticker on the right side, above the headlamp cluster, that says BS IV. I hope this is the same bus that was rolled out, or is it a new, BS-IV one?
Has AL started rolling out BS-4 version of 12M chassis?

Originally Posted by Jimmyjosek

7. Monocoque suspension without support bars built by Shillybear, trissur

Could you elaborate on this?

[Ashley2]

Originally Posted by Jimmyjosek

I hope 12 m Leylands too fall in the Viking category. If so,

Here is the king of all Vikings. Parasuram, Sulthanbathery-Parur Superfast. Via Kozhikode, Guruvayoor, Kodungalloor. Specialties of the bus are:

1. Has a CRS BS-III engine with 224 HP
2. 36 ton AC, engine driven
3. Dynamic retarder brakes
4. Full air suspension
5. GPS system announcing next stop and also displaying on TV screen
6. Alloy wheels
7. Monocoque suspension without support bars built by Shillybear, trissur
...

12M does not fall under Viking. This should have 36kW AC and not a 36 Ton.
Suspension can be either Independent or rigid. Monocoque is something to do with body construction. Here in this case, its rigid air suspension only like many other buses. Additionally this is the first 12M CRS bus in Kerela.

[Jimmyjosek]

Originally Posted by silversteed

But there's a sticker on the right side, above the headlamp cluster, that says BS IV. I hope this is the same bus that was rolled out, or is it a new, BS-IV one?
Has AL started rolling out BS-4 version of 12M chassis?

The stickering is a mistake. Its actually BS-III and not BS-IV.

Could you elaborate on this?

The bus does not have vertical roof support bars inside. See the pics of interiors