“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.

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.”

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.

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.”

GREET YOUR CREW SERIES : ME WITH NAGARAJ PATIL, WITH HIS VOLVO B11R MULTIAXLE COACH