“Greet Your Crew” Series – Nagaraj Patil Describes His Driving Profession, Stresses Driver Well Being to be considered a Priority
Nagaraj
Patil is a well-known Bus Crew from SRS Travels, which has its head office at
Bengaluru, Karnataka. I spoke to Mr Nagaraj at Bengaluru, regarding my new
initiative under “Greet your Crew” Blog Series, to highlight the Bus Crews in
India who drive these machines, connecting people and places.
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| GREET YOUR CREW SERIES : NAGARAJ PATIL ON HIS SRS VOLVO B11R I-SHIFT MULTIAXLE |
The Driving Experience
Going
down the memory lane, while describing his initial steps into the transport
industry, Mr Nagaraj said, “I started my work in the transport network late
back in 1992, with my own trucks, which I use to ply between Belagavi to Delhi,
Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala etc. My trucks use to carry vegetables to
different parts of the country. In 1994 I sold my trucks. 1996 was the year, I started
driving buses with Southern Travels. I continued working with Southern for
around 11 years till 2007, driving non-ac 2+1 and 2+2 seater coaches, on Mumbai
to Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mangalore routes. I joined SRS Travels in 2007, and
till date I am working in the company till present date in 2018, as a Volvo
Crew.”
Stating his driving experience with his present
fleet operator, SRS Travels, Mr Nagaraj added, “ I am currently driving a Volvo
B11R I-Shift Multiaxle Coach from Bengaluru to Rajasthan routes of Jodhpur,
Jalore and Udaipur / Nathdwada. These three routes are assigned to us on a
rotation basis on our return trip, after reaching Bengaluru. As you may be
aware, that all of these three routes are around 2000 kms one way, we drive
around 4 days with regular breaks in the to and fro journeys from Bengaluru. As
a single driver, I drive minimum of 8 hours a day on average, with 5 hours of
rest or sleep on the coach. Our SRS Rajasthan bound coaches have driver sleeper
berths on the rear, which have been of great help and convenience to take rest
and sleep during these tiresome route journeys. To conclude, we as a team of
two coach drivers , drive around 80 – 82 hours continuously with 1 – 2 hours
rest on Jodhpur route, 3 – 4 hours rest on Jalore route, and 14 – 15 hours rest
on Udaipur / Nathdwada route, before our return journey back to Bengaluru.”
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| GREET YOUR CREW SERIES : NAGARAJ PATIL DRIVING HIS VOLVO B11R COACH ON WAY TO RAJASTHAN |
SRS
Travels provides a host of facilities to its drivers, like PFI and ESI which
includes health insurance. The company insurance accounts to Rs 450/- per month
and there is an accidental insurance coverage upto 15 lakhs with claim, as told
by Nagaraj.
Speaking
about the driver and bus crew interactions and meetings, Mr Nagaraj suggested
about the need for monthly joint interactions and meetings between management
and the crew which will lay a good platform to discuss the issues and problems
on an one to one open forum.
On Challenges Of a Bus Driver
in India
Sharing
his views on the major challenges for a bus driver in India, Mr Nagaraj
expressed, “One of the challenge what we face on Indian roads is Driving Safety.
With most of the people on roads not adhering to traffic norms and regulations
like proper lane discipline on highways, rash driving etc., it becomes a
challenge to drive safely, keeping in mind the responsibility of the safety of around
45 – 50 passengers onboard. I too have a concern about the Driver’s Health
conditions which needs to be understood and addressed regularly, due to
improper sleep and rest because of continuous driving schedules on duty. SRS
authorities conducts highway check up through its staff to monitor alcohol
consumption, which is indeed a very appreciable and commendable step on
operation front. I feel there should also a monthly health check up on routine,
made mandatory for a bus driver with respect to good health as a measure to
implement safe driving initiative on behalf of the bus fleet operator.” Mr
Nagaraj further added, “I also want to suggest that there should be a concern
about the Bus Driver’s meals and food. SRS Travels pays daily expenses of upto
Rs 250/- per day within Karnataka and Rs 450/- per day outside Karnataka as
daily food expenses for us. I feel, as a bus driver, we need to take care of
our food habits from our health point of view. I believe good food habits will
help us not only to keep fit but also it will help us to concentrate on our
driving in a better way. On my preference I always prefer to have good and
healthy vegetarian food so that I can be active and alert during my driving,
keeping in mind passenger safety on priority. As a suggestion, I firmly suggest
that even the fleet operator should also take care and monitor the food habits
of its driver and crew on board including the cleaner so that the bus crew
health can be monitored and taken care as a necessity to aid safe driving.”
Safe Driving and Proper
Passenger Services – A Necessity
Accounting
on sessions on safe driving, Mr Nagaraj told, “We have been given safe driving
instructions by our respected MD Sir, Shri K.T. Rajashekhara. Apart from the
instructions on behalf of SRS Travels we do have learnt safety instructions
during our training sessions at prime bus oems like Volvo Buses India, Scania
India and Mercedes-Benz (Daimler India).” He also felt the need for passenger
management lessons and sessions for the crew, so that the passenger services can
be improved. “A professional approach towards towards improving the passenger
services on how to talk, behave and understand passenger needs will cater not
only in improving our onboard services but also will add to our brand value”,
added Mr Nagaraj.
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| GREET YOUR CREW SERIES : NAGARAJ PATIL ON HIS SRS VOLVO B11R I-SHIFT MULTIAXLE COACH |
On
being asked about his feedback on driving the premium OEM buses in India,
Nagaraj expressed, “I have driven Volvo B9R and B11R , both on automatic
transmission versions. I have also driven the Scania Metrolink HD Multiaxle.
All the coaches, which I have driven were on long routes like Rajasthan. So I have
good hands-on experience on the functionality aspects of these drivelines.
Apart from driving Volvo and Scania buses, I have also driven the Tata Hispano
and Isuzu coaches under SRS. With my driving experience, I have found the Volvo
B9R I-Shift as the best driveline because of its low maintenance needs and good
road grip. As with the Scania Metrolink, the vehicle has good traction control
on the road and secondly it is the best driveline for the travelling passenger
on long routes on account of its good suspension. As far as maintenance is
concerned, I feel Volvo buses have always, had an upper hand. Thanks to its
good customer service and availability of parts.”
On
a concluding note, Nagaraj suggested and gave his feedbacks to improve the
state of the bus drivers and crew community in India. He felt the need for a
common platform initiating bus crew and operator management monthly
interactions. “In my opinion, there is a need of dedicated driver and bus crew talk
and understanding within the fleet operator management, which can take care of
the needs and challenges. The importance of the bus drivers should be
understood as he is responsible for around 50 travelling passengers”, added
Nagaraj.
He
finished his talk with a deep sigh and a pause; and answered, “There is no respect
for the driver, as well as no dignity of labour. The day our working conditions
improves and the bus industry in India understands the driver concern and
safety, I hope that day will revolutionize the way buses run on Indian roads
for the betterment and upliftment of our whole community in the country.”
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| GREET YOUR CREW SERIES : ME WITH NAGARAJ PATIL, WITH HIS VOLVO B11R MULTIAXLE COACH |
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