Bus Bucket’s Exclusive Interview with Mr Shakeel Ahmed Khan : National Travels inducts new Volvo B11Rs

National Travels Bangalore inducted two new Volvo B11R I-Shift Multiaxle Semi Sleeper Coaches recently into its fleet. Bus Bucket spoke to Mr Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Proprietor, National Travels, at its head office at Bengaluru, on the new buses and his future strategies.

NATIONAL CHANDNI VOLVO B11R

Speaking to Bus Bucket, Mr Shakeel expressed that, "We at National Travels have been committed since our inception in 1930, to provide better and premium services to our esteemed passengers. We made ‘Volvo’ as our brand choice for the service due to our trust on the product and its dedicated customer service. We have around 28 Volvo multiaxle buses in our fleet and have been getting a good support from the company to maintain them”. The new 14.5 mtr Volvo B11R’s with Euro IV emission standards are scheduled to start on Bengaluru – Mumbai route from 1^st September 2017, as per sources in National Travels.

Euro IV B11R – Features Galore

The niche Volvo product is loaded with high end features and provides a long term sustainable support for its customer. The new Volvo B11R comes witj electronically controlled BS IV (Euro IV) Volvo D11C engine which features a turbocharger and inter-cooler backed by unit injection technology. The engine offers a broad torque range as well as consumption and long service life. The engine also contains a dual fuel filter and water separator with heater. It supports  an automated manual gear transmission – The ‘I-Shift’ in Volvo terminology which is a 12 speed manual gear box (AT2412D), with an automatic gear changing system. The electronic controlled suspension (ECS) system in the coach provides extremely precise regulation of the ride height and very high level of comfort. Volvo B11R has electronic braking system (EBS) with a pneumatic back. The EBS control unit regulates the entire braking sequence and includes ABS. The bus is also equipped with the 2^nd generation BEA 2 and electronic data bus system, which is used for data storing and coordination of all devices installed on the bus, besides providing diagnostic information for the driver and workshop.

NATIONAL SANAM VOLVO B11R

Stress towards Unity in Bus Community

Stressing about the unity amongst bus fleet operators and requirement of a common platform, Mr Shakeel said that, “I believe that there is a need for unity amongst us and everyone should come forward on a common platform to understand and find solutions to the challenges faced by the industry with regards to the major problems like taxation policy and providing sustainable growth in passenger services. A committed and dedicated approach is sought for the upliftment of the bus fleet industry in India”.

Future Endeavours

Sharing his future ventures, Mr Shakeel told that he is keen to work further on route expansion plans. He cited Bengaluru – Mumbai route as one of his premium routes for National Travels new buses. He also added further that, “We are also concentrating on the Bengaluru – Ahmedabad sector. We have 2+1 AC Sleeper Coaches already plying on Ahmedabad route from Bengaluru and may include a premium bus service soon in future on the same route”. Signed off Mr Shakeel. 

NATIONAL CHANDNI VOLVO B11R I-SHIFT SEM SLEEPER INTERIORS

NATIONAL SANAM VOLVO B11R I-SHIFT SEM SLEEPER INTERIORS

Acknowledgements : Volvo India Official Brochure