It was a fine evening (month’s beginning) and my wallet had enough to do the talking. So I stepped into the 'New Volvo MTC bus'-one which I had been longing since its roll out. Man what a sight it was. Felt like something that was at all times felt visionary came into existence.
Some admirable features which we never imagined seeing in a MTC bus were,
1) A/C – Each seated passenger has individual ducts. It’s going to be ur travel-haven during the summer.
2) 2- Cameras (Rear and Front) and LCD screens for them. The driver has no problems.
3) Complete electronic control for the driver (He dresses like a pilot-good. But speaks local Tamil *gasps*)
4) It looked disabled-friendly. One end was low-floored and the other was a controlled protrusive ramp. Alleviative for already struggling handicapped and elders.
5) One half of the bus had seats that were ramp just as in a theatre. It was a nice feeling I tell u.
6) Smooth & swift. Very less noise.
7) Last but not the least – The CD player was playing soothing ‘Ilayaraja’ melodies with speakers all over the bus.
The fare is justified against the facilities MTC offers in its Volvo line of buses. But a common man needs to pay through his Nose. I was charged 2.5 times the normal charge. The MTC can introduce season tickets to attract passengers in the lean hours too. It runs empty sometimes.
P.S. I would have missed some features too. I gave my best to note down those, but then I was unable to stay awake for a longtime inside the bus. I badly needed a blanket-Its December. Finally the conductor shouted ‘Thambi enchirppa Tambaram vandudichi’ (Get up kiddo, we’ve reached Tambaram).
1) A/C – Each seated passenger has individual ducts. It’s going to be ur travel-haven during the summer.
2) 2- Cameras (Rear and Front) and LCD screens for them. The driver has no problems.
3) Complete electronic control for the driver (He dresses like a pilot-good. But speaks local Tamil *gasps*)
4) It looked disabled-friendly. One end was low-floored and the other was a controlled protrusive ramp. Alleviative for already struggling handicapped and elders.
5) One half of the bus had seats that were ramp just as in a theatre. It was a nice feeling I tell u.
6) Smooth & swift. Very less noise.
7) Last but not the least – The CD player was playing soothing ‘Ilayaraja’ melodies with speakers all over the bus.
The fare is justified against the facilities MTC offers in its Volvo line of buses. But a common man needs to pay through his Nose. I was charged 2.5 times the normal charge. The MTC can introduce season tickets to attract passengers in the lean hours too. It runs empty sometimes.
P.S. I would have missed some features too. I gave my best to note down those, but then I was unable to stay awake for a longtime inside the bus. I badly needed a blanket-Its December. Finally the conductor shouted ‘Thambi enchirppa Tambaram vandudichi’ (Get up kiddo, we’ve reached Tambaram).
