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Volvo's or Marcopolo's?
Written By srinidhi - 16 February, 2010
Bangalore BMTC Bus Volvo Review Transportation public transport
JnNurm funds are being used and announcements being made by BMTC about launching new busses on Blr roads..everything is being done in a hurry..
They are saying about 200 of Marcopolo's will be ordered..are they worth it? They cost 20-30% less than the Volvo's but have been found lacking in refinements which are basic at that cost!
1. The engines are way too noisy...even on normal roads..the bus struggles to start and passengers in the bus can hear the loud engine..even people in the traffic arround the bus can hear the loud noise!
2. The AC is not efficient..there are reports of passengers sweating inside the bus!
3.The automatic doors have issues and transmission too
With all the issues, is it really worth going for these busses..
On the other hand KSRTC low floor bus design has been found commendable by the centre http://www.deccanherald.com/content/52727/centre-commends-ksrtc-bus-design.html
Should we just go for such busses than the Marcopolos?
COMMENTS
SB,
The Ground Globe buses cost almost Rs.1 crore. I remember mentioning the same thing to Ashwin Mahesh and he gave me this figure.
Most (90+%) of buses sold in India are not built on true bus chassis. They share the chassis with trucks. Which is why they still have the engine mounted just behind the front axle. With a front engine and a rear drive, the transmission will not allow the floor to go below a certain level (remember that hump in your old Fiat car in the back seat?). Rear engine + rear drive does not give you those problems.
Your drive train will be very different. Also suspension for a truck chassis will be much harsher than for a true bus chassis. They might have softer settings, air suspensions, coil springs vs. leaf springs, etc.
Likely that the truck business is either more profitable or dealing with state transport corporations is something that they want to minimize.
I guess during boom times they want to put their capacity behind their core business and minimise changeovers.
Srivathsa
srinidhi - 17 February, 2010 - 00:22
Have seen them on roads these days and should say they look way too cool!!
As we can see its an low floor version and with wide windows and good seats. It is a Leyland chasis..
If we are keeping our journeys around 30 min..there is no need to go for the volvo/marcopolo option at all!
Guess these bussues are also affordable than the AC versions and save good lot of fuel..feels wasteful when a completely empty volvos ply with the AC on!
Shouldnt we go for more of these instead?
The best option for last mile connectivity(time this has an acronym - LMC) issues
s_yajaman - 17 February, 2010 - 03:01
Blrsri,
I have been on these and they feel underpowered. But given our city speed histogram (most of the time is spent at 0 speed at signals), it may not be a killer.
Low floor is different from low ingress and egress. Genuine low floor buses are disabled friendly and a person on a wheelchair will not have the issue of steps.
I think the big bus/truck companies have not seen city buses as a big volume segment. I think that will change in the next few years.
Srivathsa
Ashok Leyland iBus Yet to Be Seen on Roads
Vasanth - 17 February, 2010 - 03:14
Ashok Leyland has launched a bus called iBUS indigenously developed. Not to be seen these buses on road. Mumbai uses KingLong, but they seem to be unreliable.
Man, Merc and Vanhool yet to be seen on Indian Roads.
silkboard - 16 February, 2010 - 16:20
I would really like to know one thing. Why is it that Tata or Leyland can't produce quality buses and in big numbes to can help bring down the prices of the buses at the higher end. What is such a big deal about low floor models? Stuffing the engine at one end, front or back, and an optional A/c, how big of a deal is it? Is JNNURM pushing them enough?
We heard from BMTC themselves that the Bus manufacturers are unable to keep their dates on supply of buses. Is there a genuine problem of capacity there, or are they not getting enough margins from the city bus business?
Should govt cut import duties on City Buses so that other manufactures can come in and give our domestic bros a bit of a jolt?
Speaking of buses, one visit to the airport and you see at least 3 models of low floor buses.
Saw this one that looked like a regular Volvo, but was a Tata. And it ddn't look like the Marco Polo, which model is it -a one-off special made only for airports?
[pic TB posted]
Globe Ground got these buses running as well at BIAL, how much do these cost? They are perfect for quick get off get on services, low floor with two large doors.
[pic TB posted]
A low floor model from Ashok Leyland is also seen at BIAL
[pic TB posted]
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