MLC Ivan D'Souza flags off premium buses—Volvo Multi-Axle Seater 2.0 and Ambari Utsav at KSRTC bus stand in Mangaluru on Sunday.
Credit: Special Arrangement
Mangaluru: The Mangaluru division of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has added a fresh fleet of premium buses—Volvo Multi-Axle Seater 2.0 and Ambari Utsav models, to its services connecting Mangaluru and Bengaluru. The buses were launched on Sunday.
Senior Divisional Controller of KSRTC Mangaluru division Rajesh Shetty, said that the division has received two Volvo Multi-Axle Seater 2.0 buses and three Ambari Utsav buses as part of the latest government sanction. These new services will operate via —Puttur–Mysuru and Hassan routes. Notably, for the first time, the division has introduced an air-conditioned sleeper bus for daytime travel, which will depart from Mangaluru at 1 pm and reach Bengaluru by 8 pm. An additional AC sleeper bus has also been introduced on the Puttur–Sullia–Mysuru route as well.
Highlighting the division’s operational scale, Shetty noted that since its inception in 1982, the Mangaluru division has been running 550 scheduled services daily, with 595 vehicles covering approximately 2.17 lakh kilometres and catering to nearly 1.2 lakh passengers each day.
Launching the new buses, MLC Ivan D’Souza said the addition of luxury buses reflects the government’s commitment to improving public transport options in coastal Karnataka. He credited state-run initiatives like the Shakti scheme—which allows free bus travel for women—and other welfare guarantees for boosting Karnataka’s standing in per capita income rankings.
D’Souza also commended the Mangaluru division's officials for their proactive approach in securing government approvals. He revealed that plans are in place to introduce electric buses in the region soon. “There is immense scope for expanding KSRTC’s operations here, including commercial opportunities. Many bus terminals in other cities have already seen modern upgrades, but development in Mangaluru still lags. I will once again bring this to the government's attention during the next legislative session to push for high-tech upgrades to the Mangaluru bus station,” he said.
Dakshina Kannada District Guarantee Scheme Implementation Authority president Bharath Mundodi and others were present.