KSRTC launches Scania buses on premium routes

The KSRTC on Monday launched Scania Metrolink HD buses on a two-three month trial basis between Bangalore-Chennai and Bangalore-Tirupati.

Launching the buses, Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy said, “These buses have been introduced for the first time in the country by a State transport corporation after inviting tenders. Both Volvo and Scania had applied and the latter had quoted Rs 5 lakh less than Volvo.”

KSRTC officials said though there is a requirement of 60 buses to run the night services, the first two buses will run on a trial basis. The Scania Metrolink HD intercity luxury line Bangalore-Chennai bus is a 14.5-metre-long vehicle having 51 seats and the Bangalore-Tirupati bus is a 13.7-metre-long bus with a seating capacity of 47.

The minister said the corporation is already using Volvo buses. After the recent fire incidents, all precautions are being taken in the purchase of buses.

Sivakumar V, director (sales), Scania, said: “The buses have many safety measures including the body being made out of 100 per cent fire retardant materials. Another key safety feature in the bus is the Fire Suppression System which is installed in the engine compartment area.

 In this, an alarm is automatically set off in the bus if the temperature in the vehicle exceeds the prescribed norm due to fire. The water in a tank installed in the bus immediately douses the fire.”

He said that the buses are also integrated with the Scania Fleet Management services, which allow them to monitor where the vehicles are, their fuel consumption and how they are driven.

To ensure passenger safety, Scania has even conducted a unique rollover test, wherein the deformation of the bus body during a rollover may not compromise a pre-determined survival area.