Biswajit SVM Chaser: [Journey Review] SRS Scania Metrolink HD Multiaxle - Belgaum

Operator : SRS Travels
Category : Scania Metrolink HD 14.5 mtr Multiaxle Coach
Regd Number : KA01 AE 1802
Journey Route : Belgaum to Mumbai [Bangalore - Mumbai]
Date of Journey : 27th April 2015
Departure (Belgaum) : 23:55 hrs, Bangalore Departure : 15:00 hrs
Arrival (Mumbai) : 06:30 hrs
Amenities : Television Entertainment, Blankets, Individual Charging Points, Wi-Fi Internet (Limited Access)
Fare : Rs 944/-

Journey Scheduling and booking :

A long scheduled journey at the April end, for Bus World India - 2015 Mumbai edition made me plan a Belgaum to Mumbai Multiaxle Journey. Being chasing Scania Metrolink's for a quite a time now, i decided to make a 2nd time experience on this beauty from Sweden. After reading many Scania travel reviews from fellow Bus Fans, and their nice experiences i couldnt resist another Scania Journey on our beautiful and smooth NH4 highway.

After making a schedule of my Mumbai Visit, i booked my tickets with one of my favorite operators : SRS Travels, which now currently have the highest number of Scania's added to their fleet in India. I booked a SRS Scania Metrolink HD Multiaxle 2+2 Semi Sleeper (53 seater) which originally starts from Bangalore. I selected a middle row Window Seat (Seat Number : 19, encircled in red in the layout shown below). My Scania Metrolink is scheduled to depart at 23:55 hrs (11:55 pm) with boarding point from SRS Travels Head Office, at ShriSagar Complex, Nehrunagar, Ramdev, Belgaum.

SEATING LAYOUT OF SRS SCANIA METROLINK HD MULTIAXLE SEMI SLEEPER COACH

Journey Day :

I took an OLA CAB from Maratha Colony (near Arun Talkies, Congress Road, Tilakwadi) to SRS Head office Ramdev. Thanks to Uday Kinjawadekar, a friend of mine who booked the cab and helped me to reach Ramdev at a genuine fare, which in fact is very difficult with a meter less auto rickshaw in Belgaum. He also in fact was travelling from Belgaum to Bangalore, the same day. The trip from Maratha Colony to Ramdev cost us just Rs 88/-, an affordable, convenient and comfortable service.

After getting down near SRS head office, i went to my well known office staff whom i meet almost daily for my Bus Fanning activities and kept my heavy luggage at the counter. I joined Uday sir for some nice chicken kabab at Muttu's Chicken Corner, a nice small chicken fast food stall, opposite to the travels head office. Thanks to Uday sir for the nice starter, my stomach was full, as i had already taken meals, since the Scania Multiaxle was a non-stop service from Belgaum onwards to Mumbai, as it already takes a dinner break before reaching Belgaum.

I did a see-off to uday sir and wished him happy journey, on his bus to Bangalore. A frequent traveler by AC Sleeper coaches, he choosed to travel by Telsang 2+1 AC Sleeper Coach, this time.

I was back to SRS office and waited for my Scania Metrolink to arrive till 23:55 hrs. I reached office very early as Uday sir had his bus at 21:30 hrs. After a long wait, my Scania Metrolink arrived at Belgaum SRS office at 00:15 hrs, a slight 20 - 25 minutes delay from its scheduled arrival. The sight of the Metrolink brought a smile on my face and i approached the coach. After putting my luggage at the luggage compartment i boarded the blue neon illuminated coach and took my seat at Seat No 19.

Here are some file pics of SRS Scania Metrolink HD Multiaxle KA01 AE 1802 which i had click at belgaum. I am sorry I couldnt click exterior pics during my journey, as i was in hurry to board and also the coach didnt stop at any illuminated place for some good pics.

File pics of SRS Scania Metrolink HD KA01 AE 1802 at Belgaum :

SRS SCANIA METROLINK HD MULTIAXLE SEMI SLEEPER KA01 AE 1802

My Scania Mterolink left Belgaum at 00:25 hrs, after nearly a half an hour delay behind schedule. But its acceptable as its Bangalore - Mumbai service, and many factors like traffic and food / bio - breaks are also responsible for a slight delay. Soon after crossing Belgaum Urban limits, we touched the NH4 highway. At 00:50 hrs, we crossed a MH09 registered VRL Isuzu Coach near Hattargi toll plaza.

The ride at Seat number : 19 felt smooth. I felt very less vibration on the Scania Metrolink HD Coach, if i compare with its arch rivals VOLVO B9R / B11R. The 13 litre, 410 HP sheer rear engine power was really maintaining a nice torque and was giving the coach a nice pull. The Air Conditioning was maintained at an ambient temperature. The Coach also has Wi-Fi Internet but with limited access.

Here is a file pic, mentioning steps to connect to the Bus Wi-Fi Internet Service :

WI-FI CONNECTION PROCEDURE ON SRS SCANIA / VOLVO BUSES

Such Stickers can be found pasted behind each seat on SRS Premiere buses - Scania and VOLVO's. The Wi-Fi service is only restricted for Dwingloo App use for Onboard entertainment of Movies and Video Songs at Zero Data Cost.

WI-FI SERVICES ON SRS BUSES POWERED BY DWINGLOO TECHNOLOGIES

The wireless router of Dwingloo is as shown in pic below and is placed behind the driver of the Scania Coach

DWINGLOO WIRELESS ROUTER FOR ON BOARD WI-FI INTERNET ACCESS ON SRS SCANIA COACH

At around 01:00 hrs, our coach suddenly stopped at NH4. I saw a Mumbai bound Shantadurga TVS Irizar AC Sleeper coach, halted on road after we crossed it and finally stopped. Seemed like it had a breakdown. At 01:09 hrs, i saw nearly 5 passengers from the Shantadurga bus being accomodated on our coach. While i didnt like a highway stop, but helping others at the time of need cant be over ruled. The passengers from Shantadurga bus were being adjusted on the vacant seats on our Scania Metrolink Coach. After this halt, we soon hit NH4 on our way to Mumbai. We crossed a Shantadurga Non AC coach, as we headed towards Kagal Check post. The Shantadurga Non AC Seater was also halted along with its AC Sleeper coach, may be to sort out the breakdown, and hence this Belgaum - Pune coach was also late due to the same.

At 01:38 hrs, we were at Kagal Check Post, where in we were joined by the Yellow Cruiser from Mangalore, Anand VOLVO B9R Multiaxle Semi Sleeper, which was doing Mangalore - Mumbai.

We crossed Kolhapur at 01:49 hrs. Soon we reached Kini Toll Plaza, near Kolhapur, where we crossed a PAULO AC Sleeper coach and a MANISH Non AC Sleeper Coach.

The experience of the comfort of the coach and its suspension can be felt even in sharp curves on the highway where in, it was cruising with a good average speed. The traction control was impressive.

Heading towards Karad, we crossed the Hubli - Mumbai (Borivali), NWKRTC Airavat Club Class at 02:30 hrs, before reaching Taswade Toll Plaza at 02:51 hrs. At 03:06 hrs, our coach entered a Petrol Pump near Satara for diesel. The Scania waited there for around 15 minutes, and passengers also took a Bio - break.

At 04:52 hrs, we reached Khed Shivapur Toll Plaza, near Pune. We crossed a Neeta VOLVO B9R - seemed to me the last 23:00 hrs Kolhapur - Pune Service, and a Bangalore - Mumbai SRS VOLVO B9R Sleeper. We crossed Pune City Bypass at around 05:03 hrs and entered Pune city at 05:07 hrs. Soon we reached katraj by pass SRS Office at 05:11 hrs. A few passengers got down here and lots of parcels were offloaded and also onloaded here. A good 20 minutes were spent here.

Here is a blue neon illuminated SRS Scania interior pic that i clicked while the coach was at katraj by pass.

BEAUTIFUL BLUE NEON ILLUMINATED SRS SCANIA METROLINK HD COACH INTERIORS

We left katraj at 05:30 hrs, and we touched NH4 again heading towards Pune - Mumbai Expressway. Some passengers were again dropped at 05:45 hrs and we touched the expressway at 06:05 hrs. we crossed Lonavala at 06:49 hrs admist the morning sunrise and few ghats and valleys which welcomed us in a scenic way. I also saw an AC Seater coach of Kingfisher Translines for the first time.

The performance in the Western Ghats due to the pull of the 13 litre, 410 HP Scania Rear Engine was impressive. The Scania performed very well on the Ghat Roads due to the impressive torque of the engine.

Soon we entered Mumbai Sub Urban limits and touched Kalamboli at 07:15 hrs. I reached Vile Parle at around 08:35 hrs, where in i was dropped near Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji domestic airport, as i was scheduled to board a hotel near Vile Parle (East) to attend Bus World India - 2015, Mumbai edition.

I was feeling very sleepy, as i kept on observing every single detail of the performance of the Scania Metrolink Coach and kept noting a live review on the android phone. The accurate timings that i have mentioned on my review is a result of me being awake throughout my journey and noting every single detail. As i bid goodbye to my Scania Metrolink experience, i look forward for a Scania Experience again and again.

Summary and Ratings :

Crew : Driver well dressed and in Uniform. Cleaner not in Unifrom. Well mannered Rating : 4/5

Bus Maintenance : Well maintained Scania Newbie. Excellent maintenance, both exteriors and interiors. Scania and SRS, both have taken adequate measures for safety. Each window having emergency break glass hammers. Charging Points were kept on throughout the journey. I wish they will include giving complimentary water bottles too. Rating : 4.9/5

Speeding : Sedate driving at maximum speed of around 90 kmph. No unrequired overtakes, No Honking horns unncessarily at night. Rating : 5/5

Overall Ratiing : 4.63 / 5

Conclusion and Feedback :

Scania Metrolink HD Multiaxles are becoming a craze for all the bus fans and others to travel on our expressways. I feel SRS has done a remarkable job by not only including Scania Metrolink HD Multiaxle coaches in its fleet, but also maintaining it to its optimum performance on roads with a great ambience.

Will i recommend the Operator on this route : A BIG YES!!!!

Thanks for reading my journey reveiw.....

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Thursday, May 14, 2015

[Journey Review] SRS Scania Metrolink HD Multiaxle - Belgaum - Mumbai

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