Home and Transport Minister R. Ashok on Tuesday flagged off trial services of a 14.5-metre multi-axle bus with chemical toilet and pantry, said to be the country’s longest one, for the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC).
Launching the service here, Mr. Ashok said the coach would be operated on the routes: Bangalore and Mysore, and Hyderabad and Chennai. After noting the feedback from passengers, its induction into the fleet would be decided, he said.
Manufactured by Volvo Bus Corporation, the multi-axle coach has steerable tag-axle enabling it to navigate through tight road conditions, Volvo in a release said.
Besides offering in-built TV fitted on the rear of each seat and a mobile phone charger in each row, the coach has a washbasin, a pantry, a coffeemaker and a refrigerator.
Mr. Ashok said the bus initially would ply between Bangalore and Mysore on a fare of Rs. 300.
Peenya facility
Mr. Ashok said the multi-modal transport centre (MMTC) built at Peenya, at a cost of Rs. 38 crore, would be inaugurated next month. The MMTCs are planned on all entry/exits of the city to decongest roads within the central business district.
Such transit centres, from where long-distance KSRTC buses would be operated, will have connectivity through Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation and Namma Metro services, he added.
Principal Secretary, Transport Department, P. Ravi Kumar, KSRTC Managing Director N. Manjunatha Prasad and others were present.
