Volvo is now eyeing the Delhi Transport Corporation and the company launched a CNG variant of the popular 8400 Low Floor bus in Delhi. A single bus of the company will be plying on trial basis on the Teevra Mudrika route.
“The air-conditioned bus looks more comfortable and will add to the comfort of passengers. The bus, which has been presented by Volvo City Buses India Pvt Ltd, will provide an excellent experience to the passengers,” said Sheila Dikshit after flagging off the bus from Delhi Secretariat.
According to some sources there is an option of replacing the phased-out DTC buses by these Volvo CNG buses.
“Each bus will cost Rs. 90 lakh and the manufacturing plant has been set up in Bangalore,” said Rakesh Talwar, director, Volvo Bus Service Centre. Indicating that there has been no compromise on quality, a transport department official said the choice had been made despite the fact that the buses bought from Tata and Ashok Leyland were cheaper.
These Volvo City buses propelled by CNG will have the same ticket rates as those of the DTC buses that are already plying.
These buses are disabled-friendly as the floor can tilt by a few inches so that a wheelchair can get in. Equipped with fire-extinguishing devices, the bus promises a safe journey. Present on the occasion, Lars-Ol of Lindgren, Ambassador of Sweden to India, said, “We hope that people will opt for the eco-friendly buses over private vehicles”. The fate of these buses will depend on the response of the public.