Last week i went to Chennai to take part in some culturals. Though we dint taste success(which we should have?!?), we had the chance to experience one of the best bus travel ever made. The recently introduced AC buses MTC :- the Volvo B7R -8400 low-floor bus. It made us feel the effect of traveling in any foreign transport system.
The floor is really low and rises at the rear(where the euro III 290 hp, 7-liter, 6-cylinder, diesel engine is mounted with a top speed of 121 kmph!).More than this it the first bus to have true bus chassis (in India). Surprisingly the bus has automatic gears-it does not even have the gear nob, just 3 buttons : one for forward, one for reverse and the other for neutral!!!(its surprising cos it is bus so it must have low mileage, still lower because it an AC bus and a automatic gear would further reduce the mileage!!!). Anyway it still feels great. The automatic gear and combined with the 290hp engine give the bus a car-like-drive feel(great pick-up). And the air suspensions complements the powerful engine to give a great feel.
With 18 rs of min ticket fare it might be on costlier side, but for long intercity travel especially after a "long working day" , it is more than worth the money you pay. Travel in it and "get VOLVOfied"( to put in our college terms).
Tell us more about the culturals...
ReplyDeleteIt is really great to have AC busses at chennai so that travel will not be hard in peak summer if people choose so.
ReplyDeleteRaja mama
Udt.
Enjoying the VOLVO bus travel is like flying in an aeroplane.This type of buses are convenient for the working people in major cities to go on time.You have seen all the features in that bus.Very good.Keep on watching these mechanical innovations and discover a new Mechatronic device..In this you have made a mistake in inserting "is" in few places.Overall this makes you excellent in knowing many informations.Keep it up.
ReplyDeleteRADHA manni
Udt.
Dude,
ReplyDeleteAlthough fuel rates are at an all-time low right now, the auto drivers rather unscruplously charge a heavy sum. For instance, it takes me 200 bucks to get to Egmore Station but only 180 bucks to go all the way to Trichy. A bizzare comparison though, but what the hell? I think the Volvos are a boon to Chennais Public transportation system. I'd anyday wait for an a/c bus rather than pay a fortune to an auto driver...