4 months ago
2
The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is readying to present a caller fleet of buses to its Flybus services to the Kempegowda International Airport, arsenic astir of the existing golden-coloured Volvo coaches operating connected the way person go old.
At present, the KSRTC operates Flybus services connected 15 routes connecting the airdrome with large cities and towns- Mysuru (nine routes), Madikeri (two), Davangere (two) and Kundapura (two). In total, 44 Flybus trips are operated each day, covering astir 10,240 km and serving adjacent to 1,050 passengers daily.
However, officials said galore of the buses presently deployed connected these routes are ageing Volvo models, prompting the corp to research replacement options.
Sources successful the KSRTC said that the connection to induct caller buses is inactive astatine an archetypal signifier and funds are yet to beryllium allocated for the procurement. “At present, everything is successful the preliminary phase. Though determination is simply a wide petition and request for caller buses connected the Flybus routes, fiscal support has not yet been granted,” a authoritative root told The Hindu.
As portion of its assessment, the KSRTC precocious conducted proceedings runs utilizing Airavat Club Class 2.0 seater buses. These buses, portion of Volvo’s 9600 series, are 15 metres agelong and diagnostic a larger compartment with astir 51 plush seats arranged successful a 2x2 layout.
Operational challenge
However, the trials revealed a cardinal operational challenge. “The Airavat 2.0 buses are somewhat taller astatine the rear, which created issues portion entering the underground autobus bay astatine Terminal 2 of the airport, wherever the KSRTC and the BMTC airdrome buses are stationed,” a authoritative root said.
Due to this constraint, the KSRTC is present exploring alternate autobus models that conscionable the tallness restrictions of the Terminal 2 autobus bay. “Since these buses could not participate the multilevel parking facility, we are readying to procure buses that are not taller astatine the rear and tin easy entree the Terminal 2 bay. At present, we are not definite astir the benignant oregon manufacturer, but determination is simply a wide program to present a caller Flybus fleet,” the root added.
Flybus work a premium airdrome commute option
The Flybus work is positioned arsenic a premium airdrome commute option, featuring high-tech interiors, reclining seats, GPS connectivity and onboard bio-toilets. In November 2025, the KSRTC besides began offering complimentary airy snack kits with Nandini products to Flybus passengers to heighten comfort.
Earlier, passengers had complained astir odours from the onboard toilets. The officials said the contented was addressed by installing extinguishers, which importantly reduced the problem. “If caller buses are introduced, toilet plan and attraction volition beryllium cautiously evaluated to guarantee specified issues bash not recur,” an authoritative said.
The KSRTC officials said that portion the connection is inactive nether way, upgrading the Flybus fleet remains a precedence to support work prime connected the important airdrome way from assorted parts of the State.
