Mangaluru — The KSRTC Mangaluru division unveiled two Volvo multi-axle seater buses and three Ambari Utsav air-conditioned sleeper coaches at its Bejai depot on July 28.
MLC Ivan D’Souza, who inaugurated the new fleet, emphasized the importance of modernizing the Mangaluru division. He mentioned the availability of 6.5 acres of land within the division, which could be utilized to boost passenger facilities. D’Souza also assured that he would bring up the matter in the upcoming legislative session and take it up with the transport minister.
Divisional controller Rajesh Shetty highlighted a first-of-its-kind initiative: a daytime air-conditioned sleeper service between Mangaluru and Bengaluru. The Ambari Utsav bus will leave Mangaluru at 1 pm and arrive in Bengaluru by 8:30 pm. Meanwhile, the Volvo Multi-Axle 2.0 seater will operate a morning service, reaching Bengaluru by 5:30 pm.
Additionally, Shetty announced a new AC sleeper route covering Puttur, Sullia, and Madikeri — the first of its kind on this stretch.
The launch event was attended by KSRTC guarantee committee district president Bharat Mundodi, Mangaluru taluk president Surendra Kambli, former MCC member S Appi, divisional traffic officer Kamal Kumar, assistant traffic manager Nirmala, depot manager Preeth Kumari, and Depot-3 manager Manjunath.