MSRTC Shivneri Volvo accident on 15th March : Dadar - Pune service

On the 15th Of March 2012, a MSRTC Shivneri Volvo bus service, operating between Dadar and Pune, met with an accident near Belapur highway stretch. It is said that the driver was overtaking a trailer and moved towards the right when, due to darkness, he failed to see a divider ahead - divider of a flyover that was starting off in a few metres ahead.

The bus ended up climbing a part of the divider and major damages to its front part. The bus had seven passengers at that time and thankfully, no one was injured.
Bus number : MH-04 G 6905

Driver name : Avinash Ashok More

MSRTC's new Volvo B9R Multi-axle Ashwamedha service

Pic: Kshitij Keer

Pic: Kshitij Keer

MSRTC (Maharasthra State Road Transport Corporation) is known for its Shivneri B7R buses that ply between the two cities of Mumbai and Pune. And now, MSRTC is running the longer, more comfortable and more powerful Volvo B9R Multi-axle buses on the same route - between Dadar and Pune railway station. Needless to say, these buses look eye catching and massive on the road. The good part is that the ticket price remains same as the Shivneri buses at Rs 270!

Pic: Kshitij Keer

Pic source - http://d-blogger-in-me.blogspot.com

MSRTC Shivneri Volvo B7R : 110km/h in rains!

When was the last time you felt safe doing 110km/h in a car in rains. Ok, let us put it this way - when was the last time you felt safe while being a bus doing 110km/h. Surprised.
Well, Volvo buses are known for their safety and hence it comes as no surprise when we caught this MSRTC Shivneri Volvo B7R doing speeds between 105-110km/h in rains on the Mumbai-Pune expressway. See for yourself!



To see all our videos on these buses, CLICK HERE

MSRTC Shivneri Volvo B7R : Video on Mumbai-Pune expressway

I have in the past uploaded a lot of videos of Volvo as well as other buses. See THIS VIDEO where the bus is seen doing 118km/h!

Recently, I took another video of the MSRTC Shivneri Volvo B7R bus. This time though it was cruising sedately at around 105-106km/h.

For more videos, see my Youtube Playlist

MSRTC Shivneri Pune to Bangalore Volvo experienced

A few days back we told you about MSRTC Shivneri's new Volvo service to Bangalore from Pune - see HERE. Yesterday, ie, on the 3rd April I personally took the bus to get a first hand experience.

The bus from Pune leaves at 5:30pm from Swargate. Contrary to the usual Pune-Mumbai Shivneri bus service, this one wasnt on time. Below are my pointers
1. The bus left at 6:00pm - 30min late
2. There was too much confusion. 5-6 officials - some trying to identify all baggage with tags, some checking tickets, some helping walk in passengers etc. And the same thing again by other officials. MSRTC should learn a thing or two from KSRTC.
3. The bus took 10 hrs for Pune to Davanagere : 1 to 1.5 hrs more than other operators I have taken till date
4. The above point was due to the bus entering three cities - Kolhapur, Belgaum and Hubli. While this might help in revenues, but on the other hand, it just makes the bus reach its final destination, ie, Bangalore late.
5. The drivers werent really good - hard acceleration, hard braking and so on. Too many 'jhatkas' on the way

The good point
1. The bus was half empty so I later went to the rear and slept peacefully
2. However the point above (sleep) didnt last long. Due to constant entering into cities, all of us were constantly being disturbed
3. Normal buses dont enter Davanagere - this one did :)

Overall, i wouldnt take this service next time. I am ok with paying a hundred bucks extra on other operators to reach my destination earlier.

Pune to Bangalore MSRTC Shivneri Volvo starts

CLICK HERE TO READ AN EXCLUSIVE FIRST HAND EXPERIENCE

MSRTC has started its Shivneri Volvo service on the Pune - Bangalore sector from 18th February. One can make online booking at - http://public.msrtcors.com/ticket_booking/index.php

Initially, MSRTC will only operate the Volvo B7R on this route and later will add Mercedes Benz buses too.

The fare will be Rs 900, which is very competitive. Other operators like VRL and Sharma are charging anywhere from Rs 950 to Rs 1050. The Shivneri Volvo will leave Swargate depot at 5:30pm, reaching Bangalore at 8:45am the next day. The same bus will leave Bangalore at 6:15pm, reaching Pune the next day at 9:30am.

To book other bus tickets on various routes, we recommend REDBUS
Read my recent experience on this route HERE and HERE

Mumbai to Pune / Pune to Mumbai Shivneri volvo ticket booking online!

This was long due. Finally, online ticket booking for Mumbai - Pune / Pune - Mumbai MSRTC Shivneri Volvo buses has started.

Log onto http://public.msrtcors.com/ticket_booking/index.php
To book other bus tickets on various routes, we recommend REDBUS

These are the best option to travel between these two cities. In addition, you can also book tickets on other MSRTC routes on non a/c buses as well.

You might also be interested in seeing the MSRTC Shivneri Volvo do almost 120km/h! See THIS LINK

Chasing the MSRTC Shivneri Kinglong bus

I have been posting videos frequently now. In the past, these have been
1. Volvo B7R caught speeding
2. Metrolink Kinglong bus caught speeding
3. MSRTC Shivneri cruising at 100km/h

Recently, i took a video of the MSRTC Shivneri Kinglong bus heading to Mumbai on the Mumbai - Pune expressway. The driver keeps overtaking the traffic and finally moves to the left to let me pass. At this moment, he is doing around 104-105km/h.

Volvo B7R top speed caught on video : ALMOST 120!

I had started a topic on top speed of Volvo B7R buses in India (CLICK HERE)
Recently, while going to Mumbai from Pune on the expressway, I managed to notice a MSRTC Shivneri Volvo B7R doing crazy speeds. Watch the video for more. Be careful at the 2min 25sec mark, when you can see that the bus is doing around 117-118km/h!! Thats a lot for a bus in India. Feel free to comment on the video

ALSO SEE
1. CHINESE KINGLONG BUS CAUGHT ON VIDEO : 110KM/H
2. KSRTC VOLVO BUS CRASH
3. MERCEDES BENZ BUS CRASH

Mumbai to Pune MSRTC Shivneri volvo video

I keep traveling between Mumbai and Pune often and this time decided to shoot the MSRTC Shivneri Volvo bus, the best option to travel between these two cities.

Enjoy the video




MUST READ:
Top speed of Volvo buses
Neeta Volvo experience

How to travel from Mumbai to Pune in a Volvo

UPDATE : ONLINE BOOKING NOW OPEN. SEE THIS

Across websites and forums, I have come across this common query of how to travel between Mumbai and Pune / Pune and Mumbai, on a Volvo B7R bus.

CLICK HERE TO BOOK BUS TICKET ONLINE

Here is a lowdown.
1. Mumbai to Pune
Experience says that the best bet is to take a Shivneri Volvo, run by MSRTC. These start from Dadar. Just ask the cab driver to drop you at the Asiad bus stand. The Shivneri Volvos (they also have Cerita buses, which are based on Kinglong buses from China) run from 5:30am to 11:30pm at night. The frequency is generally 30min.
You will have to stand in a small queue to book the ticket for current buses. You can also fill a small form and book you ticket in advance. The fare is Rs 220 and usually you get a small mineral water bottle along with a newspaper too.
The fare might be 20-40 bucks more than other buses like Neeta and Metro Link, but the money spent is worth it. Stops are fewer, buses are better maintained and you usually reach Pune station in less than 4 hours, sometimes even 3.5 hours - this is one to one and a half hours less than other Volvo operators.
Buses generally run full from Dadar itself. So, if you stay in Chembur / New Mumbai areas, then you have no option but to take Neeta / Metro Link ones. But, if you can reach the Vashi Volvo bus point, then in evenings, if you are lucky, you can get a seat in one of the long distance Volvos which run to Bangalore / Hyderabad. They have some reservations from Pune and hence the seats are empty. These include operators like Sharma / KSRTC / VRL etc

2. Pune to Mumbai
Again the best bet is to hit the bus stand next to Pune station and take a Shivneri. Stay away from Neeta / Metro Link services. But if you stay in places like Aundh / Wakad / Kothrud, then you have no option but to take the private operators. All the best!!

Related Reading:
Metro Link Experience
Neeta Experience

UPDATE : ONLINE BOOKING NOW OPEN. SEE THIS