Mysuru: Eight new auto transmission multi-axle Volvo buses (Airavat Club Class) were inducted into the fleet of existing luxury buses that proceed to various destinations from city. The fleet of buses were flagged off from the Bannimantap KSRTC Depot by M. Vasu, Divisional Controller, KSRTC (Rural), Mysuru.

KSRTC Mysuru Division is getting these buses at the right time with the city gearing up for Dasara festivities that will open from Sept. 21. Each bus has been procured at a cost of Rs. 1.78 crore and each bus has a seating capacity of 49. All of them have automatic gears and each seat has mobile charger unit and each window has an emergency exit.

The buses have Euro 4 410 Horsepower back engines and the buses have an exclusive emergency door that opens where passengers can alight the steps as the door opens in case of emergencies. The buses are equipped with special safety features for the driver if the bus meets with accident. The driver will be protected with air cushioning technology.

Each bus is 13.8 metres long. With the addition of eight automatic transmission buses, the number of multi-axle buses has gone up to 32 in Mysuru Division.

Of the 8 buses, two buses will be operated from Mysuru to Chennai, Hyderabad, two buses from Mysuru to Secunderabad, two buses from Mysuru to Hyderabad and two buses from Bengaluru to Virajpet (Kodagu district) via Mysuru.

Vasu said that people coming to Mysuru to witness the grand Dasara celebrations can expect comfortable travel in brand-new buses. The KSRTC will gradually switch over to gearless futuristic buses under premium transport that lessens the load on drivers, he said. For Dasara, the Mysuru Division will connect Mysuru with key cities in the State and inter-State to bring in more visitors.

Over 125 buses, including Karnataka Sarige and luxury services, will run exclusively for Mysuru Dasara in addition to the existing services, Vasu added.

Deputy Transport Officer Srinivas, Deputy Transport Officer (Technical) Venkatesh Murthy were present.