[Journey Review] SRS Scania Metrolink HD Multiaxle : Bengaluru - Belagavi

SRS SCANIA METROLINK HD MULTIAXLE SEMI SLEEPER

Operator : SRS Travels

Category : Scania Metrolink HD 14.5 mtr Multiaxle Semi Sleeper Coach

Regd Number : KA01 AF 0557

Journey Route : Bengaluru to Belagavi [Bengaluru to Pune (Day/Night Service)]

Road Distance : 507 Kms

Date of Journey : 28th April 2018

Departure (SRS Terminus, Anand Rao Circle, Bengaluru) : 09:00 hrs

Arrival (SRS Ramdev, Belagavi) : 17:45 hrs

Amenities : M-Ticket Support, Blankets, Charging Point, Overhead Reading Light, Video / Music - Onboard Entertainment, Track my Bus Utility 

Fare : Rs 698/- (including GST) 

Ticket Booking Portal : www.srsbooking.com

Journey Scheduling and Booking : 

I was on a three month vacation and trip to my howtown, Guwahati. It was time to plan my return journey back to my workplace, Belagavi (Belgaum). With my flight tickets from Guwahati to Bengaluru done, I was scheduling my onward journey from Bengaluru to Belagavi by bus. With a plethora of premium bus services available on this route on NH4 highway, I planned to book a SRS Scania Metrolink Multiaxle Day / Night Service from Bengaluru. I was accompanied by my mother, who even preferred a day service than taking a night service to Belagavi. 

I booked my ticket on the SRS Online bus ticket booking portal, selecting seats on the second row (Seats number 3 and 4 encircled in red in the seating layout shown below). The SRS Scania Multiaxle had a scheduled departure at 09:00 hrs (09:00 am) in the morning with my boarding point selected at SRS Anand Rao Circle Terminus, Bengaluru. 

SEATING LAYOUT OF SRS SCANIA METROLINK HD
MULTIAXLE SEMI SLEEPER COACH

Journey Day :

I arrived at SRS Bus Terminus located at Anand Rao Circle at around 08:15 hrs in the morning, 45 minutes ahead of scheduled departure timing of 09:00 hrs. At 08:45 hrs, i received a message from SRS Travels stating that the departure timing is now rescheduled at 10:00 hrs. We waited at the passenger departure shade at the terminus with all our belongings for the bus to arrive. The reason of the delayed departure was given as - Bengaluru traffic conditions on the message from SRS. After an one hour delay, the SRS Scania finally arrived at around 09:50 hrs. I handed over my luggage to the bus crew to be kept in the side luggage compartment. Unfortunately the cleaner of the coach spoke to me in an indecent manner, which was totally unprofessional. I took a note of the same to be reported to the concerned authority in SRS. 

SRS SCANIA METROLINK HD MULTIAXLE SEMI SLEEPER

Finally at 10:10 hrs, the SRS Scania left Anand Rao Circle towards Pune. With scheduled pick ups on way, it left Bengaluru outskirts at 11:15 hrs. The 14.5 mtr Scania Metrolink is one of the comfortable drivelines to travel in India for a bus passenger. With low NVH levels and a serene comfort and luxury inside the bus, the passenger can feel an ethereal experience onboard the coach. At 12:00 noon, the bus halted at a hotel on NH4, near Bengaluru for a Tea / Bio-Break. 

SRS SCANIA METROLINK HD MULTIAXLE SEMI SLEEPER

After half an hour break, we touched the highway again, The driving was sedate and safe. A Hindi movie was being played for passenger entertainment. Soon we crossed Tumkur and Chitradurga on our way to Belagavi. The reclinable semi sleeper seats with the calf support was comfortable for the passenger for a long journey. The mobile charging ports were kept 'ON' throughout the journey. At around 15:15 hrs, our Scania stopped for lunch break near NH4 highway, at Davangere outskirts. The hotel was decent with good food facilities and clean restrooms / toilets. A SRS Volvo B9R I-Shift Multiaxle Sleeper 1357 also came and halted after sometime. The coach was headed towards Bengaluru. After half an hour of lunch break, our Scania departed towards Belagavi, at 15:45 hrs. After having lunch, i felt sleepy and dozed off to wake up near Hubballi at around 17:00 hrs. There was a passenger drop and pick up at the Hubballi bypass, as the bus doesnt go inside Hubballi City. Belagavi was just another one and half hours away from Hubballi. As we approached the NH4 section between Dharwad and Belagavi, the outside climate showed a change from bright sunny to dark clouds approaching fast. As we reached half way between Dharwad and Belagavi, it started raining heavily. At around 18:30 hrs we finally entered Belagavi City limits and at 18:40 hrs we got down at SRS Ramdev. An one hour delay as predicted due to initial delayed departure at Bengaluru. Apart from the initial delay of 1 hour, the Scania made me reach on time, driving in a safe and sedate way. The journey was nice except for the errant bus cleaner behavior, which i had reported to SRS authorities in Belagavi and action was taken at spot in Belagavi. 

Summary and Ratings : 

Crew : Found the cleaner of the bus arrogant. Had reported the same at SRS Belagavi and action was taken. I thank SRS authorities for the prompt action. Bus Driver was in uniform, cleaner didnt seem professional at all. Rating : 1.5/5

Bus Maintenance : Around 2 years old Scania Metrolink Multiaxle. Well maintained with clean interiors. Mobile Charging ports were kept 'ON' and blankets were provided inside the coach. Hope complimentary mineral water bottles will be provided in future for passenger convenience. Rating : 4/5

Speeding : Sedate and Safe driving at around 70 kmph. No unrequired overtakes. No honking horns unnecessarily. Rating : 5/5

Overall Rating : 3.5/5

Conclusion and Feedback : 

It was a comfortable and sedate journey onboard the SRS Scania Metrolink. I was just concerned about the untimely departure of the coach and errant behavior of the cleaner of the coach. 

The service has a low average passenger rating on Redbus (3.1/5) the reasons of the same, which i read on passenger review are the late arrival at Pune City and errant Bus Crew Behavior. I hope SRS authorities will look into this matter and take care of the same in future. 

Will I recommend the operator on this route : May be.  

Thanks for reading my journey review... 

Follow my links and online resources to keep yourself updated with the very best from the Bus Industry in India and around the world. 

Blog Link : https://biswajit-svmchaser.blogspot.in/

Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/svmchaser/

Twitter Handle : https://twitter.com/b_svmchaser