[Journey Review] NWKRTC Vajra VOLVO 8400 B7R LE Belgaum - Hubli

Travelling - It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a Story Teller ~ Ibn Battuta 

Operator : NWKRTC
Depot : Hubli Moffusil Depot 3
Category : Vajra VOLVO B7R LE
Regd Number : KA01 FA 1488
Route : Hubli - Belgaum - Hubli
Journey Route : Belgaum - Hubli
Date of Journey : 29th January 2015
Departure (Belgaum) : 4:30 pm
Arrival (Hubli) : 6:15 pm
Amenities : N/A
Fare : Rs 120/-


Journey Scheduling : 

It was a fine thursday afternoon that i decided to do a VOLVO 8400 B7R LE journey from Belgaum to Hubli, in order to review the comfort level of a 8400 bus. NWKRTC (North West Karnataka Road Transport Corporation) is running its VOLVO 8400 low floor bus exclusively on Belgaum - Hubli route under the service name "Vajra" from around 4 months now. While according to reports, the VOLVO 8400 belonging to Belgaum Depot 1 KA01 F 1487 was sent back to Bangalore, because of severe techincal and mechanical snags, the KA01 F 1488 with Hubli Moffusil Depot 1, is still on roads doing the Hubli - Belgaum route.

So, being set with the plan to review the VOLVO 8400 B7R LE , I set out to Belgaum Central Bus Terminus (CBT) to catch the VOLVO to Hubli. The VOLVO arrives at 4 pm from Hubli and departs after a halt of 15 minutes at CBT.

Arrival of VOLVO 8400 : 

At 4:05 pm, the red VOLVO - NWKRTC "Vajra" entered the Belgaum CBT from the entry point. After dropping the Hubli passengers, it proceeded towards the departure bay at CBT.

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM 

While waiting for the departure, i met my friend, VOLVO In charge of NWKRTC Belgaum Depot 1 - Liyaqat Ali Hosur. I had studied the VOLVO 8400 with Belgaum Depot 1 - KA01 FA 1487 along with Mr Hosur in the Belgaum Depot earlier.
Hosur knew the crew of the 1488, that had arrived from Hubli and soon we approached the vehicle, to meet the crew. Hosur introduced me to the crew of the VOLVO 8400. They were happy to know my interest and my passion about VOLVO. The crew told that they will depart in 25 minutes.

After parking the vehicle, the crew went for reporting at the reporting terminal of CBT. I took some pics, with the NWKRTC Vajra VOLVO 8400 standing right in front me

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM

It was after 10 minutes, that the crew arrived, and they opened the front entry door. Here are some pics inside the 8400 :

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM

After clicking some pics, the conductor of the 8400 very politely offered me a front seat behind the driver, which is also my favorite as it helps me clicking during the journey. I thanked him and took the seat number 1.

Being anxious to know about the performance of the vehicle, i met Siddhu, the driver of the VOLVO 8400 and asked him some questions related to VOLVO 8400. Here is Siddhu posing for me :

CREW OF NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM

A pic of the controls and automatic gear controls at the driver console of the VOLVO 8400 B7R LE

CONTROLS AND AUTOMATIC GEAR CONTROL OF NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM

Siddhu gave me some vital informations about the VOLVO 8400. When asked about the performance , siddhu added that the VOLVO 8400 was giving an average of 3.5 to 4 on NH4 from Hubli to Belgaum, while when it was plied between Hubli - Dharwad as a city bus, it gave an average of only 2. He explained that it was a major reason of VOLVO 8400 being introduced as a intercity bus between Hubli and Belgaum, covering 110 kms flat out.

I had questions in my mind, as the VOLVO 8400 is generally meant for City bus destinations generally for BRTS. If inside cities, its giving a low average and if average is the reason, for taking it off from city bus services and bringing it on intercity route, then may be ageing of the vehicle is also a reason for this. I have enquired about the mileages that the new models of VOLVO 8400 that are running under BEST / TMT / NMMT in Mumbai and in BMTC in Bangalore from my fellow "BusSpotters" in those cities.

Journey : 

After a short conversation with Siddhu, i went back to my seat behind the driver console and waited for departure.
After picking up passengers upto full seating capacity, our red cruiser finally departed at 04:30 pm on time. Soon we crossed Belgaum City and hit the highway. The drive was smooth and steady, although i felt the air conditioning was satisfactory. The cooling effect was missing, and it was already stated by the conductor to me, when i asked him about the bus. There were passengers who approached the crew to raise the ac cooling, but the crew couldnt help in this situation.

Here are some pics that i clicked during the journey :

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM : PIC FROM FIRST SEAT 

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM : PIC OUTSIDE WHILE CRUISING ON HIGHWAY 

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM

NWKRTC VAJRA VOLVO 8400 B7R LE DOING HUBLI - BELGAUM : CONDUCTOR BUSING COUNTING CASH 

Since its a non stop Hubli - Belgaum - Hubli service, the bus doesnt enter Dharwad, At 6:05 we entered Hubli. It was quite nice to feel the nice 6 lane road from Hubli by pass to Airport, which is an extension of the Gokul Road. The 6 laning have not only made the commuting better , but have made the Hubli New Bus Stand, more approachable in a short time from the Bypass.

At 6:15 pm finally i reached Hubli New Bus Stand and bid goodbye to the helpful crew of KA01 FA 1488 for their information and helping nature with a warm handshake. They thanked me and invited me to take a journey again on their bus.

Summary and Ratings :

Crew : Well dressed in Uniform. Rating : 4.5 / 5

Bus maintenance : Fairly maintained considering its an ageing vehicle, Fair air conditioning ,
Rating : 2.5 / 5

Speeding : sedate driving, being locked at 70 kmph, Rating : 4/5  

Overall rating : 3.67 / 5 

Conclusion and feedback :

Considering the comfort and time taken between belgaum and hubli its a recommended bus, but seat comfort is not that good for a intercity travel of 100+ kms one way, and we cant expect push back seats on a VOLVO 8400. Air Conditioning is fair but they need to check it and repair for faults. I found the crew nice and well behaved, which is expected and always fulfilled by NWKRTC.

Will i recommend this bus on this route? - YES