Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation now offers you the Mercedes-Benz experience

Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) is still basking in the glow of the award recently received from the Union finance minister, Pranab Mukherjee, for being the best public sector unit in infrastructure development, transportation and urban mobility in 2009.

Now, the state transport corporation, besides making travel comfortable, is also aiming at allowing the common man a ride in style.

Mercedes-Benz buses acquired by the KSRTC began plying to Mysore and Shimoga from Bangalore on Wednesday. The corporation is considering extending the services further. But will such services remain affordable? The state’s transport minister, R Ashoka, is sanguine: “The KSRTC won the India Pride Award for making travel safer, more comfortable and affordable. These measures go towards making the corporation serve people better.”

The keys of the luxury coaches were handed over to state transport minister R Ashoka by the managing director and chief executive officer of Mercedes-Benz India, Wilfried G Aulbur at the Vidhana Soudha. Managing director of the KSRTC, Gaurav Gupta, was also present. Riding the new Mercs will not cost a passenger very much more than the Volvo buses that are already part of the KSRTC’s fleet.

Travelling to Mysore by the Airavat Volvo bus costs Rs250. Travelling that distance by the cheapest service offered by KSRTC costs Rs90. The Mercedes-Benz ride will be priced at Rs260. Getting to Shimoga from Bangalore on the Volvo bus costs Rs400. The ride for that route on the Merc is priced at Rs426.

Gaurav Gupta, MD, KSRTC, proudly proclaims: “What we offer is better than the comfort of a personal car. It is a service that you can rely on. A large number of people already take the Volvo bus to different destinations; they will now have a little more choice.”

Commuters have received the announcement of the introduction of the Mercs with excitement and anticipation. “I am a native of Mysore. I am glad that now we can travel in more comfortable buses. I expect the coaches will be more strong, and the ride more smooth. As for the fare, I find it quite reasonable. What matters to me is the timing. If the rides can be taken at a time that suits me, I would surely hop onto the Merc,” says Prerna Sonthalia, finance manager of a software company in the city.

“I’d like to experience that ride, though I don’t think I can afford to take it very frequently,” says Shobha Hunasavadi, who works as a technical person in a media house.

“I’m keener on safety and comfort. So I sure will try out the Merc,” says Hemalatha DS, an academic consultant.

There are 10 Mercs in the KSRTC fleet. Depending on how popular the buses are, there is a possibility that more Merc buses will be acquired. The Mercs plying on city roads on a trial basis have attracted a good response. Each of these coaches was priced at  Rs68 lakh. Rides from the city to Hyderabad (at Rs780), Chennai (Rs620) and Tirupati (Rs400) are also set to start.