Press release

All new Volvo 9600 Multi-axle Sleeper Coaches inaugurated by Honorable CM of Karnataka Shri Basavaraj Bommai

2023-02-21

Flag off of fleet serving the citizens of Karnataka by honorable Chief Minister Shri Basavaraj Bommai
Inauguration in presence of Minister of Transport Govt. of Karnataka - Shri. B Sreeramulu, Secretary Transport Govt. of Karnataka - Dr. N V Prasad IAS, Chairman of KSRTC Shri. M Chandrappa, Managing Director of KSRTC Shri. V Anbukkumar IAS
KSRTC is the largest Volvo Coach operator in India and becomes the first to add the uber luxurious, safe and comfortable coaches to its fleet

February 21, 2023, India: Volvo Buses India, , will be supplying 20 units of Volvo 9600 sleeper coaches to Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), making it the first STU to add these luxurious buses to their fleet. This is yet another milestone in the long standing and successful association between the two which goes back almost two decades now. Designed as the next step in luxury, 16 of these coaches are planned to operate from Bangalore and the remaining four from Mangalore. These coaches are an addition to 357 Volvo buses already operating under KSRTC’s existing fleet, the largest Volvo Coach operator in India. Set up in 1961 under the provision of the Road Transport Corporation Act of 1950, the corporation is owned by the Government of Karnataka. The Government of India is also a shareholder in this corporation.

Launched in India in Sep 2022, The Volvo 9600 is part of the award-winning European design. The distinctive tall boy design marries fine aesthetics with generous space. The 15m seater coach has a passenger capacity of 55, whereas the sleeper coach has 40 berths. The seater and sleeper applications incorporate 15.1 cu.m and 9.2 cu.m of luggage space respectively. The 13.5m coach seats up to 47 passengers, while the sleeper variant hosts 36 berths. The corresponding luggage space for the seater and sleeper variants are 13.6 cu.m and 8.1 cu.m respectively.

Commenting on the partnership, Akash Passey, President, Bus Division, VE Commercial Vehicles Limited, said, “We at Volvo Buses value our long standing relationship with KSRTC which has over 350 buses serving all parts of Karnataka and providing world class bus transport to the people of Karnataka. We congratulate KSRTC for inducting 20 Volvo 9600 buses which are the next step in luxurious bus travel with a high focus on passenger comfort and safety. We look forward to our continued association with KSRTC in our home state of Karnataka.”

Adding on, V Anbukkumar IAS, Managing Director, KSRTC said, “By adding the latest Volvo 9600 buses to our existing fleet, our endeavour is to provide a luxurious experience to our travellers without compromising on their comfort and safety. Equipped with best-in-class features and accompanied by exemplary aftersales service, these new buses are the right choice for us to upgrade the intercity travel experience of our citizens. We look forward to our association with Volvo Buses in transforming public mobility and strengthening our long standing relationship.”

About the Volvo 9600

The Volvo D8K (8-liter) engine, which is the foundation of the Volvo 9600 platform, is tried-and-true, strong, and fuel-efficient. It produces 260kW (350hp) at 2200 RPM and 1350 Nm at 1200–1600 RPM. For bus operators, the fuel-efficient engine and its specially developed drivetrain are built to reduce TCO and increase uptime. The electronic braking system (EBS), Hill-start assistance, and Electronic Stability Program (ESP) technologies are all part of the chassis, together with the I-Shift automated manual gearbox. The 9600 platform is very user-friendly for drivers. It has a brand-new curved dashboard with controls that are easily accessible and ergonomically constructed. Moreover, air-suspended chairs with adjustable headrests guarantee a driver-free experience.

About Volvo Bus India

Volvo Bus India is a division of VE Commercial Vehicles Limited (VECV), a joint venture between the Volvo Group and Eicher Motors Limited. In operation since August 2008, VECV includes the complete range of Eicher branded trucks and buses, Volvo Buses India, exclusive distribution of Volvo Trucks in India, engine manufacturing and exports for Volvo Group, non-automotive engines, and Eicher component business. A multi-brand, multi-division company, backed by innovative products & services, today, VECV, is recognized as an industry leader in modernizing commercial transportation in India and the developing world.

For further information, please contact:

Samanvay Sinha

Brand & Corp. Communications, VECV

ssinha@vecv.in