The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has taken two Scania Metrolink buses from Scania Commercial Vehicles India (SCVI) for trial runs in Karnataka. On August 4, Sivakumar V, director (Sales), SCVI and Helmut Schwartz, director (Production Buses & Coaches), handed over the bus keys to R Ramalinga Reddy, minister for Transport & Minister in Charge – Bangalore Urban, government of Karnataka and BNS Reddy, IPS, DIGP & Director (Security & Vigilance), managing director, KSRTC.

According to Sivakumar V,  “We are extremely happy that KSRTC, which is among the more progressive of State Transport Corporations in the country, will be using our buses for trial runs in Karnataka. Our customers today are looking for reliable transportation solutions and are cognizant of long-term benefits. They are appreciative of the added value that Scania vehicles can bring in through our Total Operating Economy (TOE).”

Launched in February 2013, the Scania Metrolink range of buses plies in Maharashtra, Karnataka and Kerala.

Helmut Schwartz added, “The response to our Metrolink buses has been overwhelming. All our products maintain stringent global standards in terms of safety and quality. Our soon-to-be- inaugurated plant at Narasapura will be manufacturing Metrolink buses locally. We are all set to deliver on our commitments to India and look forward to gaining a strong foothold in the market”.

Scania is establishing a complete service and dealership network in the country, starting from the Southern and Western states and will expand to other geographies. In addition to the dealer outlets, Scania is also investing in service vans to guarantee service support to customers within two hours of fault reporting.

Recognising the key role that drivers play, the Swedish major offers a complete driver training programme to enable improved operating economy, safety and action in the event of an emergency. Other additional services include real-time online Fleet Management Service on Metrolinks which provides real-time monitoring and facilitates driver coaching to derive the best performance parameters.

Photograph: Sivakumar V, director - Sales, Scania Commercial Vehicles India, handing over the bus keys to R Ramalinga Reddy, minister for transport & minister in charge - Bangalore Urban, Karnataka and BNS Reddy, MD, KSRTC, on August 4.