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
Ok, i know this is coming very late, but here is more dope on Mercedes Benz's rival to the Volvo B9R multi-axle bus. Mercedes Benz, though are the leaders in luxury buses in the world, havent really been doing well in India with their luxury long distance bus (see HERE)
The new Mercedes multi-axle bus was launched at the Auto Expo in New Delhi. They call it the 3-axle coach. Powered by the Euro III engine, the Mercedes-Benz 3-axle coaches are capable of delivering high performance, powerful torque output and a good fuel economy. The rear engine with 6 vertical cylinders, turbo charged and intercooled engine delivers 1200 Nm torque at a low rpm of 1400-1600. The smart suspension system is equipped a lifting mechanism that allows the chauffer to lift the height of the coach when the road conditions are bad.
The Mercedes-Benz coach is designed for the highest levels of safety and stability at even high speeds. The coach comes with ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) that accentuates safety of the vehicle as a whole. Hoping to take a ride in one of these some day!
Click HERE to book tickets on this bus now
Hubli based VRL Travels, one of the biggest bus travel operators in South India recently picked up a lot of new Volvo B9R multi-axle buses. The last we heard, they purchased 8 of these, all in yellow color, with numberings (to identify the buses) in the form of alphabets.
I recently took their Mumbai to Bangalore B9R for my trip to Davanagere from Pune. This bus leaves Sion at 3pm, reaching Katraj at7pm. Though the bus arrived on time, it just stood there for 45mins, putting in courier boxes to be delivered in Bangalore. This was very irriating.
The bus however is the epitome of luxury travel in India. On the way, I even sat at the co-driver's seat, chatting with the driver about the new features. As the bus was new, Volvo had electronically controlled the top speed to 100km/h. The B9R has a cruise control in addition to height adjustment and traction control too. The driver was making full use of the cruise control and cruising at 100km/h. Only on downhill sections was the bus going above 100km/h. I was told, once the engine has run-in properly, the cruise control will be removed and the bus will easily do 120km/h.
The Katraj (Pune) to Davanagere trip, around 580km, was done in 9 hours including a dinner break and a fuel stop. I paid Rs 950 for the ticket (Pune-Bangalore is Rs 1,000). Overall, a satisfying trip with the only issue being the long wait at Katraj.
Read more VRL related posts, including feedback HERE
Read more about the Volvo B9R HERE
Click HERE to book tickets on this bus now
