The Delhi-based tour operator, Sehgal Transport Service, is back to steering successful tours in the post-pandemic world. The company is now mulling to include electric buses in its fleet and this is not the only smart bit of idea coming from the operator to revive business, finds out Rajesh Rajgor in an interaction with Inderjeet Singh Sehgal, Director (Marketing), Sehgal Transport Service (P) Limited
Sehgal Transport Service (STS) provides packaged tours to Indian as well as international locations. A cursory enquiry about them would let one know that they are a well-versed tour operator providing customers options for weekend tours, short tour packages and pilgrimage tours across the length and breadth of the country for over three decades. The Delhi-based company’s strength, meanwhile, is in tailoring these bundles, more so in the post-pandemic world where ‘revenge travel’ from people across the country is on the rise. The company that was established in 1982 by Shree Baldev Singh Sehgal, a first generation entrepreneur and head of the Sehgal family, has become popular with tourists of all types.
Starting with budget-bundled group travellers, moving up to mid-range basic travellers and ending with premium special car bookings, the company has everything covered to attract customers post the pandemic. Today brothers Bhupinderpal Singh Sehgal and Inderjeet Singh Sehgal are running the show at STS. The private tour bus operator business thrives predominantly on customers’ sensitivity of using transportation services and lingers on the finest superlative quality possible delivered by the operator. Thus, what began as a small local bus transport firm grew into one of India’s top transportation companies with a fleet of more than 200 vehicles. These include coaches from Volvo, Bharat Benz, Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland.
SUVs, MUVs and other luxurious vehicles are also available in STS’s fleet. “Tours provided by us are properly planned and meticulously checked to ensure best-in-class experience and comfort for the traveller. The itineraries are created in a way that allows us to handle every part of the customer’s journey. We want the travel of the passenger to be enjoyable, affordable and memorable without any hassle,” says Inderjeet Singh. The company also has tie-ups with hotels and ensures that the customer gets an “amazing” experience. Their sister concern company – Advanced Holidays – takes care of hotel bookings right from five and seven star hotels to budget rooms for their high profile as well as ‘no frills’ customers.
Attractive and Modern Fleet
With family and friends, exploring new places is always enjoyable, and taking the bus is much better. The automobiles owned by STS are stylish and cutting-edge in this regard. These range from 12, 15, 18, and 22-seat minivans to 28, 35, 38 and 41-seat bus from Volvo, Mercedes Force and Tata Motors. “For the comfort and safety of our passengers, our buses offer push-back chairs, chemical bathrooms, LCD screens, high-quality audio systems and individual seat belts. Overhead luggage racks are available in each passenger seat for storing personal items while travelling,” says Inderjeet Singh.
“The luxurious coaches of Volvo, Tata Motors and Ashok Leyland were either designed by Sheena Motorbodies or Sutlej Bus Body Builders. Our drivers are experienced, educated and knowledgeable about the routes and traffic regulations. Our team is committed to providing excellent customer service while paying close attention to every detail to ensure that the trip is executed without a hitch. By creating a reliable and lasting partnership between us and customers, our objective is to offer effective solutions to our clients,” he adds. In order to resume business and especially attract more family customers, the company has also ushered in a fleet of cars.
“Right from a Toyota Corolla to Camry or Honda Accord to Mercedez Benz, we have vehicles to fit every requirement. Post the pandemic international clients have drastically reduced to just about 5-10% these days. Hence, out of the total business we are focusing more on customised solutions for passengers willing to travel from India and within the domestic circuit. We carry out packaged tours across the country. We ensure that they are fully vaccinated and maintain necessary hygiene so that the chances of any infection or transmission are reduced,” Inderjeet Singh informs. As a matter of fact, the safety critical aspect doesn’t end with the cleanliness of seats and following the post-pandemic rules. STS maintains its own vehicles and its mechanics take care of every aspect, right from engine to coolant and managing tyres.
“According to the amount of mileage a bus has logged, we provide a check list to the service manager that includes standard maintenance like engine servicing, greasing, coolant filling and tyre replacement. We prefer using synthetic lubricants that improve vehicle mileage and reduce parts’ wear and tear. A bus receives a clean bill of health for its upcoming tour only when it successfully completes all the required inspections. Given that it will go for long tours, these measures are significant for us to keep the fleet healthy and fit for passengers’ safety and comfort. We also use branded new tyres from reputed manufacturers like Apollo Tyres, Michellin and MRF,” he adds.
Scouting Government Support
The long-drawn pandemic caused a significant drop in business for private and public bus companies. There has been a severe financial hardship on bus operators. According to Inderjeet Singh, savvy financial arrangements and investments in the tourism sector can eventually increase the scope of business for private bus operators. To weather the pandemic-driven storm and continue to offer commuters better and safer services, private bus operators—the backbone of the economy and significant tax payers—need enormous government backing.
“We wanted tax breaks on tolls, petrol and diesel, roads, motor vehicles and other expenses. Even though the buses were stopped during the lockdown, the government just allowed us a moratorium and did not waive any taxes on vehicles that were idle during that period. The interstate taxes are high. We also asked the government to extend the lifespan of old Euro III and Euro IV buses, including school buses, to 12-15 years or more because their usage in terms of kilometres is far lower than their age,” elaborates Inderjeet Singh.
Going Green
In a conscious attempt to work towards environment by reducing the carbon footprint, STS is also prepared to buy electric buses. Inderjeet Singh reveals: “We have placed an order of electric vehicles from Tata Motors and are working on getting a national permit for them. We plan to run these buses across India, but will initially start on the routes between Delhi-Chandigarh, Delhi-Jaipur and Delhi-Agra in the next 2-3 months. We have also identified the necessary permissions and communicated with DTC depot to use their infrastructure.” The operator also encourages commuters and people associated with them to plant trees and save water. “Through our NGO, Amrit Foundation, we make sure to get people to plant 2-5 trees every month. Nature gives us so much and in turn we do not take proper care of her. With activities like tree plantation and avoiding wastage of water we do our duty towards our planet. We want people to understand that tourism can be done for a social cause also and inform and encourage our customers to be aware of the surroundings near them while enjoying their leisure time,” concludes Inderjeet Singh.