VRL B9R Multiaxle VOLVO in Monsoons

Pics of VRL B9R Multiaxle VOLVO crusing in the beautiful greenary of Bagewadi Ghat Section on NH4, near Belgaum (Karnataka)

SRS Travels Gets Delivery of Scania Metrolink HD Coaches

Scania Commercial Vehicles India delivered its Scania Metrolink HD Coaches to SRS travels in Bangalore, Karnataka (India). Mr Anders Grundstromer, Managing Director, Scania India and Senior Vice President, Scania Group, Mr Ramalinga Reddy, Minister of Transport and Minister in charge - Bangalore Urban, Government of Karnataka, and Mr KT Rajashekhara, Proprietor, SRS Travels, Bangalore were in attendance

Pic Credit : rushlane.com

Few pics from inauguration :

Powered with a 410 HP and 13 litre engine, equipped with Scania Opticruise - automatic gear transmission, Scania Metrolink HD is the most powerful Coach to operate on Indian Roads.

Pic Credit : Respective Owners.

KSRTC B11R 9400 PX

Pics of erstwhile KSRTC I-Shift Multiaxle VOLVO B11R 9400 PX, which was on trial in KSRTC. The B11R had arrived in Belgaum in 2012 on a temporary service, doing Bangalore - Belgaum.

Some features of KSRTC I-Shift Multiaxle VOLVO B11R 9400 PX are as follows :

• I-Shift Automatic gear transmission 
• 11 litre VOLVO engine 
• Chemical Toilet
• Inbuilt pantry (Microwave, Coffee maker) 
• Individual LCD's behind each seat

VRL ISUZU Rear Engine Coach

Here are some pics of the VRL ISUZU Rear Engine Coach :

KSRTC Airavat Club CLass B9R Multiaxle VOLVO Semi Sleeper Journey Review

Operator : KSRTC

Depot : Bangalore Depot 4

Category : Airavat Club Class B9R VOLVO Semi Sleeper

Regd Number : KA01 F 9289

Basic Route : Bangalore to Kolhapur

Journey Route : Belgaum to Kolhapur

Date of Journey : 4th April 2013

Departure (Belgaum) : 05:20 hrs

Arrival (Kolhapur) :  07:00 hrs

Amenities : 

(a) Drinking Mineral Water 

(b) Blankets for Night Journey

(c) Television Entertainment 

Fare : Rs 205/- (Now Rs 236/-)

Journey scheduling and booking :

It was time for a planned monthly visit to Pune for my personal work. As I always try to make my journey to Pune adventurous, trying out different operators on Belgaum to Pune stretch, sometimes doing break journey from Belgaum to  Pune via Kolhapur, I thought of trying out the KSRTC “Sleep like a Baby” Multiaxle :) I mean the KSRTC Airavat Club Class B9R multiaxle VOLVO upto Kolhapur from Belgaum and further continuing my journey with a different operator.

As far as booking is concerned, I thought of taking an onboard ticket on the Club Class B9R, as it’s a short journey between Belgaum and Kolhapur of a 110 kms.

Journey Day :

On the morning of 4th April 2013, I headed towards Belgaum Central Bus Terminus (CBT) at 04:30 hrs, as the scheduled departure of the Club Class was at 05:20 hrs, according to the KSRTC website, which means it is scheduled to arrive atleast 15 minutes before at around 05:00 hrs in the morning.

I arrived CBT at 04:45 hrs from my house at Tilakwadi and awaited arrival of the Club Class. In order to have an idea of the status of the arrival and departure of my multiaxle, I went to the announcement cum enquiry section of CBT to ask about details. The NWKRTC personal told that, the arrival of the Club Class to Kolhapur depends on the traffic, sometimes it arrives on time, else sometimes its half an hour late.

After taking the information, my wait for the B9R started. It was 05:00 hours, no signs of the same. Half an hour passed by, 05:30 hrs till no whereabouts.  At 06:00 hrs, my suspicion was whether it has gone through by pass, if there were no passenger drops in Belgaum :( 

Thoughts of taking a NWKRTC Saarige also started crawling on my mind, as an alternative as I had to proceed towards Pune further.

But with the grace of Almighty, finally at 06:10 hrs – the white elephant of KSRTC – Airavat Club Class B9R Multiaxle VOLVO with Bengaluru – Kolhapura board arrived at Belgaum CBT with all its grace :)

I was happy because that was my first Airavat Club Class journey ever, doesn’t matter for a small route from Belgaum to Kolhapur.

Since the Club Class was late by a good 1 hrs 10 minutes, it stopped at a distance away from the CBT platform. I had to run to it, for boarding since there were other passengers too, who were rushing to it for a seat. I was hopeful to get a seat, as i was affirmative that may be some seats will be vacant. After some passengers deboarded at Belgaum, it was my turn to board finally.

I saw some seats lying vacant in the middle rows of the B9R. Finally caught hold of a window seat. Most passengers bound to Kolhapur were asleep in their seats, as it was early morning in Belgaum. 

After 5 minutes, the crew arrived after reporting in the counter and the conductor took out the tickets of the passengers from Belgaum to Kolhapur.

Finally, at 06:20 hrs our Club Class left CBT Belgaum leaving fort lake behind as we touched NH4 soon.

I was feeling nostalgic with the aroma inside the Club Class, these are small things which always makes me feel different in different VOLVOs :p I was feeling happy and smiling as I crossed kakti towards Kolhapur. After a long wait, I was undertaking a journey on one of my favorite VOLVO multiaxle for the first time.

Soon the B9R took high speeds, cruising like a speedstar. I took out my android mobile and checked the speed on my speedo app :

It was a nice feeling, as we crossed 100+ . :) After checking the speed, I finally dozed off in the cosy semi sleeper seat, as I had woke up early that morning for the journey. At 07:20 hrs I woke up near Kagal, after crossing Maharashtra – Karnataka Border. A passenger requested a drop at Kagal on the highway, after the drop we approached towards Kolhapur. Finally we took a diversion from NH4, towards Kolhapur city at 07:35 hrs. After drops at Shivaji university and Kavla Naka finally it was time to get down at Central Bus Stand, Kolhapur (CBS) which was the last drop point in Kolhapur. I reached CBS Kolhapur at 07:45 hrs.  As I bid goodbye to my White Elephant in Kolhapur, my journey would have meaningless without a pic of the Club Class . :) 

Here is a pic of the KSRTC Airavat Club Class B9R Multiaxle at Kolhapur doing its usual Bangalore – Kolhapur route, on which I travelled from Belgaum :

Summary and Ratings :

Crew : Well dressed in Uniform, Well behaved . Rating : 5/5

Bus maintenance : Good and comfortable Semi sleeper seats, Clean blankets, Rating 5/5

Speeding : sedate driving at a max of 101 kmph, No unrequired overtakes, No honking horns unnecessarily. Rating : 5/ 5

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Conclusion and feedback :

I would like to travel with KSRTC Airavat Club Class again. I am happy to have travelled on Club Class, doesn’t matter if it’s was small journey from Belgaum to Kolhapur. KSRTC VOLVO crew are always well dressed and well behaved, which totally defines professionalism. The Amenities provided are upto mark for a long distance journey. 

Will I recommend the operator on this route : A BIG YES :)

Sharma Transport VOLVO B9R I-Shift Multiaxle

Some pics of Sharma Transport VOLVO I-Shift Multiaxle cruising in Bagewadi Ghat Section during Monsoon.

Neeta HINO Selega Journey Review

Operator : Neeta tours and travels

Category : HINO Selega Rear Engine Biaxle Coach

Regd Number : MH04 FK 5758

Journey Route : Kolhapur to Pune (Swargate)

Date of Journey : 27th February 2013

Departure (Kolhapur) : 12:45 hrs

Arrival (Pune) : 17:15 hrs

Amenities : Television Entertainment

Fare : Rs 400/- (Now Rs 500/-)

Journey Scheduling and Booking :

It was in the last week of February 2013, I decided to do Belgaum – Pune for my personal work. Since I wanted to travel via Kolhapur, I booked my ticket on Neeta B9R Multiaxle VOLVO 12:45 pm service from Kolhapur to Pune through Online ticketing. Selected the first seat – No : A behind the driver. I had no idea that I will be traveling on Neeta HINO in place of the regular Multiaxle B9R. As usual, Belgaum to Kolhapur journey was scheduled to be on NWKRTC Saarige. 

Journey Day :

On 27th Morning, I started my journey from Belgaum at 08:00 hrs from Belgaum central bus Terminus (CBT) to Kolhapur Central Bus Stand (CBS) on NWKRTC Saarige. At 10:45 hrs I reached Kolhapur CBS, a good 2 hours ahead of my next schedule at 12:45 hrs. As I deboarded the bus, I headed towards Royal Plaza, at Dhabolkar Chowk, which is close to Kolhapur CBS. I went to Neeta Office at Royal Plaza and got my ticket checked, the booking person at the office told me to be at the office cum pick up point at 12:30 pm. As I had enough time to spare and also was feeling hungry, I went to nearby restaurant to have the famous Kolhapuri Misal Pau. After filling up my stomach with the tasty bread misal and tea, I slowly moved towards the Neeta office at 12 noon and waited for my VOLVO B9R multiaxle to arrive. At 12:15 hrs, I got a sms from LM-Neeta regarding my bus number and the pick up man details. I got my bus number as MH04 FK 5758, till then I didn’t realize that there will be a change in the bus type that I am travelling by. 

At 12:40 hrs, the office person announced that the bus has arrived and we need to approach towards the bus in front of the Royal Plaza complex. Being anxious about the multiaxle I headed off initially towards it.

Here comes the surprise now – A BRIGHT RED COLOR HINO WAITING FOR DEPARTURE TO PUNE. I reconfirmed whether it’s the bus that we are going to Pune, checked the bus number once again, Yes of course it’s the same bus I am travelling to Pune :) I was surprised because Neeta HINO’s which have been brought on trial and later stayed in the fleet have been a trademark on Mumbai – Pune – Mumbai routes. They are never deployed on other long distance routes. 

Being excited about the HINO journey, on the first seat number A (Seat Number 1 in HINO) behind the driver, I was feeling this will be a great experience, since it was an unique experience to travel by a HINO biaxle which is only available with Neeta.

After boarding the bus, and confirmation of the boarding passengers, we started off from Royal Plaza at 12:50 hrs, a 5 minutes delay. Soon we reached Neeta Head office at Kavla Naka, where more passengers boarded the bus. I was very surprised to meet one of my known facebook friend and a Neeta employee from Neeta Mitramandal Chowk Swargate office – Ajay Salunkhe, who was also travelling from Kolhapur to Pune on the same bus. We exchanged greetings and Ajay bhai sat on the last but previous rear row of the bus. Later I too shifted to the seat beside him to share from bus information and have a chat with him. As you know it feels quite nostalgic to meet some person in reality, after knowing him from quite a long time online on facebook :)

Soon we crossed wattar and peth naka, towards Karad. As I was excited to travel on the HINO for the first time, I started observing the interiors and the feel of the suspension. Although I felt that the suspension was good (although I cant compare it with a VOLVO B9R suspension which is far more better than the HINO), it lacked the swift pick up after break and the manoeuvres on the highway while overtaking etc, which the VOLVO shows its superiority in.

Soon we crossed Kini and Taswade Toll Plaza’s, while I kept on chatting with Ajay bhai about Neeta multiaxles. Soon we crossed Karad and Satara and was about to reach Abhiruchi near Wai Phata, which is Neeta’s fixed halt on NH4 for a break. At about 14:45 hrs we reached Abhiruchi.

To my surprise, Ajay Bhai and the Neeta crew invited me for a lunch with them in Abhiruchi :)

Accepting the invitation I went along with them and had a nice chappati and rice lunch along with the Neeta people. I was also introduced to the Office in charge of Neeta abhiruchi office – Babu, who also joined us for lunch. After a nice chit chat along with delicious food, it was some time for a Neeta HINO photoshoot.

Here are the pics that I clicked at Abhiruchi : 

Me along with Ajay Bhai on right and Neeta Crew Members and Babu (Neeta Office in Charge at Abhiruchi)

Interior Pics of the HINO Selega :

After a nice photo session at abhiruchi, it was time to head off for Pune. At 15:30 hrs, after a 45 minutes halt at Hotel Abhiruchi, we set off for Pune. Soon we crossed the khambatki ghat tunnel and approached towards Pune. I was feeling very sleepy after the heavy meal in Abhiruchi and soon dozed off to sleep. The HINO had picked up speed till then and was cruising swiftly. It stopped for a petrol refill at a petrol pump on way to Pune at NH4. I woke up and took more pics of the HINO.

Here are some pics which I clicked at the fuel station, while the HINO biaxle was refueling : 

After refueling break, we again touched roads and at 16:50 hrs we started climbing the katraj ghat section. I was well awake at that moment, HINO was doing well in the ghat section, but of course it lacked the quick pick ups after applying breaks, the power steering lacked the swiftness of the VOLVO J Soon after crossing katraj ghat, we entered pune with the traffic snarling at 17:25 hrs. At 17:45 hrs, we reached mitramandal chowk, swargate finally.

I got down from the bus, I bid goodbye to Ajay Bhai, Nilesh Bhai (also a Neeta employee accompanying Ajay Bhai), and the friendly crew. It was a memorable and nice journey on Neeta HINO along with the friendly Neeta crew and Neeta Staff from Pune. The lunch was very delightful in abhiruchi along with the Neeta Staff.

I also handed over a pack of famous “Belgaum Kunda” sweets which I had carried with myself from Belgaum, to Ajay Bhai at the end of the journey as a gesture of good wishes :)

I will remember this journey as one of the best journey that I have ever had :)

Summary and Ratings :

Crew : Driver in Uniform, good behavior with passengers. Rating : 4.5/5

Bus maintenance : The bus had scratches on one side, outside maintenance was not good. Interiors were better. Good seats. AC cooling was decent. No mineral water bottles. Rating : 3/5

Speeding : Well and sedate driven at max speed of 90 kmph, No unusual overtakes, Good driving in Ghat section. Rating : 4.5/5

Overall Rating : 4/5

Conclusion and feedback :

Overall I will conclude it as one of the nice journey that I had, keeping in mind the great Hospitality and nice behavior of the Neeta Staff and Neeta Crew on board the NEETA HINO.

Secondly it was an experience travelling by HINO.

The bus needs to maintained well on the exterior, else I found the interiors well maintained with an ambient cooling air conditioning.

Will I recommend the operator on this route : YES WITH HINO :)

Konduskar B9R Multiaxle VOLVO (Incredible India livery)

Here are some pics of Konduskar B9R Multiaxle VOLVO with Incredible India Livery :

At Milestone Satara :

At Talegaon Toll Plaza, Mumbai - Pune Expressway :