As India cautiously reopens schools months after a disastrous corona virus outbreak, it’s obvious that the benefits of returning children to school safely outweigh the danger of infection. In this regard, Rajesh Rajgor leaped for joy when he was given the opportunity to evaluate the many characteristics of Tata Winger Skool version, much like a child yearning to return to school
Tata Motors has been at the forefront of technology and product advancements since its founding days, contributing considerably to the nation’s growth. The company is considered amongst the best in the world in manufacturing trucks, buses and utility vehicles that fulfil the daily travel needs of people. One of the important aspects that have led to the company’s stupendous stature in this segment is how Tata Motors continues to change people’s perceptions about road travel in India. Their customer profile covers large fleet operators to the common public. The way Tata Motors has been spearheading the mobility game in the country in the past five years in commercial vehicles as well as passenger vehicles is quite phenomenal for the home-grown giant.
When I got the opportunity to walk around the new Tata Winger Skool model with 3,488-wheel base and a seating capacity of 20+A+D, I could only marvel at how the company keeps surprising us with various applications in the bus and van market with Tata Winger. The vehicle can be modified as per the needs and requirements of the customers, including key applications like passenger transportation, cargo van, ambulance and van for school children. Whether a parent wants to make sure that a child commutes to and from school safely, a patient needs immediate assistance with an ambulance or a family goes on a vacation, Tata Motors’ Winger ensures pleasant and comfortable travel.
Comfortable and Spacious
One of the first things that meet the eye with Tata Winger is its height. Its length is just over 18 feet (5,548 mm) but its height is close to 9 feet (2,670 mm) – quite a development compared to its previous variants. For easy entry and egress, the vehicle incorporates a huge side footstep. Children have a propensity to rush in and out and therefore Skool pays close attention to the smallest details. The spaciously built 3 x 2 organised seating caught my attention as I boarded the bus. After passing through the driver and assistant seats, the seats on both sides are adequately spread out to easily accommodate 20 toddlers. Apart from safety, the cost per seat is the most important consideration for school bus operators, and Winger does the needful.
As I opened the back door, the fire detection and suppression system connected with the engine compartment couldn’t be neglected. A fire extinguisher just confirms the attention paid on passenger safety. On jumping down and taking a closer look at the wheel base, the LNT + DPF technology is quite visible. The LNT is an alternative to the SCR system, the popular catalytic converter that uses Ad Blue to eliminate nitrogen oxide emitted by diesel engines. The LNT system is more profitable for vehicles using small engines than the SCR. The vehicle is also fitted with an anti-roll bar for rollover protection.
Winger Skool has an antilock braking system to prevent wheel locking, thus providing additional safety to vehicle. The vehicle has a dual AC option for driver and passenger areas. The sliding window is easy to open and close. The seats are comfortable and quite the need for a school bus application running on a fixed or shorter route. Tata Motors’ fully-built buses are a mark of quality, having been constructed with the highest standards in mind. These are examples of how precise artistry and mass production may work together. The front chrome plate grill along with the Tata Winger logo gives the bus a stylish modern look. The vertical white LED light along with the yellow headlamps with the radiator grill adds to the design aesthetics of the vehicle’s front end.
Due to the adoption of rigorous testing and development standards, the company recognises client needs and develops entirely ready-to-use, off-the-shelf items that are significantly more trustworthy than those from individual bodybuilders. Tata Motors’ approach to bus manufacturing, including school buses, complies with the government’s bodybuilding accreditation standards – the Automotive Industry Standards (AIS). This helps make their buses better built and thus safer and more comfortable. It allows them to adapt and innovate with newer technologies such as better comfort, connectivity, safety, and LNT + DPF for BS VI, amongst a few.
Smooth Ride
As the ignition key was turned on, the Tata Winger came to life. The five–speed manual gear box is easy to operate in this BS VI beauty. The NVH levels are significantly lower than compared to any other bus in the segment. It also has an alarm bell behind the front passenger seat for the differently abled that can indicate a driver of any problem with the passengers. There are a couple of more alarm bells for safety and that can be linked to the nearest helpline provided by the police force. The front wheel drive Tata Winger Skool has an independent front axle with CV shaft along with a dead, rigid rear axle.
While the rear suspension is parabolic leaf spring, the front suspension beams of McPherson strut with coil spring. The front brakes command disc brakes with twin pot calliper and rear comes fitted with drum brakes with ABS. The system is designed to ensure required power torque ratio and assist in improved fuel efficiency in the segment. Tata Motors being one of the renowned players in the bus segment is seen consolidating its position across segments of school buses by focusing on safety, comfort and lowering the bus operator’s total cost of ownership.
Recognising the importance of school transportation, the company’s school buses have a number of important elements that ensure safe and sustainable travel. Tata Winger Skool has some of the most essential child-safety features incorporated, be it tooth or chin guards, sliding windows, door with alarm and anti-skid floors. As a result, there is no need to be concerned of the little ones. The Winger Skool branding rightly says, ‘The nation’s future rides with us’. In a nutshell, the Tata Winger Skool offers a wonderful proposition, both in terms of value-for-money with its equipment capabilities as well as safety for kids.
It is easygoing with low maintenance cost and comes with Tata Motors’ ‘Sampooran Seva’ warranty programme that can aid operators’ fleet productivity. With its power of six that includes improved design and style, enhanced performance, greater convenience and connectivity, greater profits, added value with increased driver and passenger comfort, would be loved by the school bus operators looking at this segment’s revival. The vehicle can be modified as per the needs and requirements of the school. In short, a lot of thought has gone in the designing of this bus, both in terms of aesthetical value and engineering. Ultimately, this integration has led to the evolvement of a superior product.