Bangalore: Automatic transmission, six-cylinder turbo-charged inter-cooled engine and well-upholstered seats; these are not features of a premium segment car or sports utility vehicles, but those of buses being supplied to Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) by Volvo.

Akash Passey, Head (South Asia), Volvo Buses, who showed the B7RLE city bus model to the media on Thursday, demonstrated a unique feature.

The wide door, controlled by the driver, is 350 mm above the road level while the bus is on the move. When it halts at a bus stop, a "kneeling mechanism" brings it down to just 280 mm above the ground level. "This means the elderly, small children and even the disabled can easily get into and get down from the bus with practically no steps to climb," he said.

The 38-seater air-conditioned buses are designed differently from the buses Volvo supplies for tourist coaches or for inter-city long distance use.

There is a recessed aisle for standing passengers. Close to half the commuters on a city bus may travel only two or three stops ahead and may prefer standing, according to studies.

Volvo buses are relatively noise and emission free, conforming to Euro III emission norms. Other safety features and the power engine mean faster travel on suburban routes.

"A sustainable public transport system is a must for any growing city like Bangalore. The buses we are supplying to BMTC are similar to those running in cities like Shanghai, Singapore and Hong Kong with equal comforts for commuters," Mr. Passey said. Shanghai has 2,000 of these buses on city routes.

Unique requirements

The BMTC in its negotiations had indicated that it wants to provide a premium service that can be an alternative to personal cars. Each bus can carry more people in a space about four times that of an average car and reduce traffic congestion.

"The other arrangements such as dedicated bus lanes on broader roads and buses being allowed to pass red lights with right-of-way at intersections may be necessary for public transportation to become more popular with city commuters and I am sure the BMTC will look into these aspects," Mr. Passey remarked.

Volvo will be supplying 25 buses by March-end, he added.

Printer friendly page  
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail