Operator : ASTC (Assam State Transport Corporation)
Category : VOLVO 8400 B7R LE (Low Floor) City Service
Regd Number : AS20 1974
Journey Route : VOLVO Point Ulubari to LGBI Guwahati Airport
LGBI Guwahati Airport to VOLVO Point Ulubari
Date of Journey : 15th January 2016
Departure (VOLVO Point Ulubari) : 12:30 Hrs
Arrival (LGBI Guwahati Airport) : 13:40 Hrs
Departure (LGBI Guwahati Airport) : 14:10 Hrs
Arrival (VOLVO Point Ulubari) : 15:20 Hrs
Amenities : N/A
Fare : Rs 130/- (One Way)
Journey Scheduling :
It was a long planned review journey on ASTC VOLVO 8400 Low Floor Coach, when i heard about the roll out of these coaches on the roads of Guwahati, watching the inaugural run of these premium coaches on Assamese Satellite News Channel in Belgaum, Karnataka. A planned winter visit during the year end of 2015 to my native of Guwahati, I set out to work on my planned review journey on 15th January 2016.
Journey Day :
It was a sunny bright day in Guwahati on 15th January 2016. I took an ASTC Ashok Leyland AC Jan Bus from Down Town Dispur to ASTC VOLVO Point Ulubari, which is the pick up point of the ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE Airport Service. Hassling through the mid noon Guwahati City traffic I reached the ASTC VOLVO Point at around 12:10 Hrs. Unaware of the service timings, I approached the booking counter and asked details. The person at the counter told me that there is a VOLVO service at 12:30 hrs. The one way fare is Rs 130/- INR. I booked a seat for the service and was alloted seat no : 12. Unfortunately there was no printed layout of the seats displayed at the counter, so that the passenger can have an idea of his booked seat location on the coach. The allotment of the seats were done on first come first serve basis.
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| ASTC VOLVO POINT ULUBARI, GUWAHATI |
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| TICKET FOR ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE FROM VOLVO POINT ULUBARI TO LGBI GUWAHATI AIRPORT |
After collecting my ticket I waited outside the departure lounge, with my eyes anxiously waiting to have a look at the low floor 8400 coach. It was 12:30 hrs, but still the bus had not arrive. Passengers to Airport started enquiring about the same, the ASTC Officials told that the bus will be arriving within 5 minutes as it is struck due to traffic at paltanbazar near to the VOLVO Point. After 2 minutes, the beautiful Orange beauty - the ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE arrived with all its charm. After dropping all the Airport Passengers, the bus arrived at the departure point for its return trip to Guwahati Airport.
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
While taking pics, I met an ASTC Airport Official who saw me clicking pics and enquired casually. When I told him about my work and passion, he was delighted and welcome on board.
I boarded the coach and took my alloted seat at Seat Number : 12 (Window) located close to the middle exit door. Soon after boarding got complete, the VOLVO 8400 started its journey to Guwahati Airport. The ASTC Official who spoke to me, also joined me at the adjoining seat and we started chatting about the ASTC VOLVO 8400 Airport Service. The official also introduced me to the crew of the coach.
Due to the traffic jam, in the city, the VOLVO crew decided to take the Guwahati By pass route rather than taking its regular City route, as it may delay the arrival of the coach at the Airport which may cause problem for people who need catch flights on time.
The discussion with the ASTC Airport official continued as the coach soon touched NH37 towards Guwahati Airport. The wonderful VOLVO suspension glided the coach on the highway. One of the crew members also joined the discussion standing on the gangway, giving his feedback on the issues like absence of a VOLVO Service Centre in Guwahati and North East.
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE CRUISING ON NH37 GUWAHATI BY PASS TOWARDS AIRPORT |
I further discussed about driver training, bus safety norms and importance of Bus Codes. Sustainable Transport and development of infrastructure especially road conditions and need of multilaned highways was also a part of discussion.
Assam and North east still lagged proper infrastructure due to which there were hindrances to bring World Class vehicles and run and connect cities of North East. Sustainable Transport also needs better and efficient infrastructure., with proper boarding and alighting points, better roads and good maintenance there after.
Soon we crossed Guwahati ISBT (Inter State Bus Terminus) and approached Jalukbari towards the Airport. We reached Guwahati LGBI Airport at around 13:45 hrs. It took nearly one hour from the City limits to reach Airport. The Airport passengers were dropped outside the departure terminal, while stayed back on the bus as I had more technical things to be discussed with the crew of the coach. The same bus was scheduled to depart to VOLVO point Ulubari at 14:10 hrs from Guwahati Airport. I was able to notice another ASTC VOLVO 8400 about to leave, when had reach Airport Departure terminal.
The VOLVO coach took a round from the departure terminal and waited at a point on the outward road till its departure. I took some pics of the coach at that point.
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
The crew told me that it was time for the coach to be parked at arrival terminal of the Airport. Soon we moved to the arrival terminal
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
After parking the vehicle at Arrival terminal, me and the crew of the coach went for some refreshments at the cafeteria, while the ASTC Airport Officials made arrangements for the passengers who had booked tickets to travel to the City. For the convenience of the passengers, Assam State Transport Corporation (ASTC) have opened 2 booking counters at Guwahati Airport. One inside the Airport at Arrival terminal and another outside the terminal.
Here are some more pics clicked before my return journey to Ulubari :
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE : CREW AND ASTC AIRPORT OFFICIAL |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE : ME IN GREEN CAP AND CREW OF THE COACH |
Return Journey :
After boarding of the passengers was completed, we left Guwahati Airport at 14:10 hrs exact for Ulubari VOLVO Point. The 8400 cruised at an average speed of around 60 kmph. The coach was speed locked at 60 kmph as told to me by the crew. Upon being asked the average fuel economy of the bus was told to me as 2.6 kmpl.
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
The coach was scheduled to go through Guwahati City, as it had drop points at major stoppages in the city. It took the Jalukbari - Maligaon - Bharalumukh - High Court - Railway Station - Paltanbazar - Ulubari route dropping passengers at respective stoppages. We reached ASTC VOLVO Point at around 15:20 hrs. As i reached the last stoppage, i got down the coach and took some final clicks through my lens
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
Interior Pics :
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
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| ASTC VOLVO 8400 B7R LE |
I bidded a goodbye and exchanged greetings with the crew of the coach who have helped me getting information of the coach. It was a memorable to and fro VOLVO 8400 journey for me which i was planning from a long time before reaching Guwahati. I am looking forward to undertake a journey again on this coach. It was a wonderful experience and a nice time spent with the vehicle and its crew.
Summary and Ratings :
Crew : In uniform. Well mannered. Rating : 5/5
Bus Maintenance :
- Well maintained 8400 B7R LR Coach
- Fire Extinguisher in place
- Emergency hammers for all windows in case any emergency
- Bus has provision for physically handicapped passengers
- Electronic route boards provided and working well
- Cleaniness maintained well
Rating : 5/5
Speeding : Sedate driving. Coach speed locked at 60 kmph Rating : 5/5
Over all Rating : 5/5
Conclusion and Feedback :
- Satisfied with ASTC's VOLVO 8400 B7R LE Airport Service
- Good Passengers response and feedback
- VOLVO 8400 B7R LE can also started on some premium routes within City
- Provisions should be made in major city deluxe hotels for booking of the ASTC Airport Coach . Shuttle Coach can be provided for the passengers to catch the bus from VOLVO Point Ulubari.
Will I recommend travelling on the Bus : YES !!!
Thanks for reading my Journey Review....
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