The first customer trials for UD city bus was flagged off in Bengaluru recently. The Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) will operate these buses on key routes over the next two months. The buses were flagged off at a ceremony by Shri. Ramalinga Reddy, Hon’ble Transport Minister, Government of Karnataka and Dr. Ekroop Caur, Managing Director, BMTC, along with senior members of the transport corporation. Mr. Akash Passey, Senior Vice President, Business Region International, Volvo Bus Corporation and Mr. Suresh Chettiar, Vice President and Head, Commercial, Volvo Buses India were also present on this occasion.
The start of the first customer trials is a significant milestone in the introduction of UD Buses in India. In 2014, Volvo Group unveiled the UD Buses brand as part of its strategy to foray into the value segment in growth markets. India is now the first market where UD Buses are being introduced.
The UD SLF is a semi low-floor city bus that will create the benchmark in the value segment with features that impart the best performance with focus to excel on essentials such as fuel efficiency, reliability and optimized uptime.
Mr. Passey said, “The start of the trials is a momentous occasion for UD Buses. The UD SLF city bus exemplifies the aspirations of passengers and drivers who clearly demand better commute experience. With several features that are first in the value segment, stakeholders will be able to realise better benefits. I am confident that UD Buses will further enhance the bus-based public transport system and motivate more cities to adopt this product.
“BMTC has always taken the lead in adopting the best solutions for urban mobility. They were the first to induct Volvo city bus in India, a trend that has now spread to about 30 locations in the country with 1500 buses plying. With the trials of the UD SLF, we are hopeful that another movement will happen in the due course wherein other locations will also adopt this mobility solution. We would like to thank BMTC and the Transport Department, Government of Karnataka for motivating us to develop new mobility solutions that will be offered under UD Buses. We will continue to work as partners with all stakeholders to bring the latest public transport solutions to India” he added.
Bengaluru has been home for Volvo Group in India since 1998. With the support of the state government and various authorities, this city has become a shining example for bus-based public transport system in India.
UD Buses – The best of three worlds
UD Buses is one of the brands in the Volvo Group and originates from Japan. It is from a vision of the founder, Kenzo Adachi that there should be vehicles that will never let you down. In 1939 he spent endless days and nights working out what such a vehicle should be like. His sole, intense focus was ultimate dependability. UD was born.
Going the extra mile is essence that typifies UD. The brand promise of ‘Smarter Value, Smarter Mobility’ is based on the dependability and reliability of our products. The emphasis is on providing smarter solutions for modernizing societies with technology that is proven to ensure dependability.
UD SLF – Defining the Value Segment
The UD SLF has been specifically designed to meet the needs of city transport today with respect to passenger demands and driver comfort and performance. It has been extensively tried and tested to ensure reliability. This bus is a result of collaboration between teams from across Volvo Group.
The UD SLF offers safety features, which include some that are the first in this segment such as anti-lock brake system, disc brakes on the front wheels and drum brakes on the rear wheels, an in-built hydrodynamic retarder, door brake system, doors are equipped with sensitive edge to prevent passenger injury, on board diagnostics and alarm, an emergency hooter, large emergency exits, full air suspension system, rollover protection and roll stabilizers.
Better Passenger Comfort
Passenger comfort is perhaps described as an experience from the Noise-Vibration-Harshness (NVH) levels in the bus. At Volvo Group, passenger comfort is a focus in developing solutions for Public Transport. The UD SLF demonstrates passenger comfort with overall noise levels and vibration levels low required for greater comfort, the vibration levels and its effect on the human body is another unspoken factor, ergonomic seating to impart greater comfort to passengers and ease of entry and exit facilitated by wide doors.
Engine and Transmission
The engine in the UD SLF is a modern 8-litre 6-cylinder Euro IV diesel engine with a turbocharger and intercooler. It provides a power of 230Hp at 2200 rpm. The Engine Management System (EMS) ensures efficient combustion resulting in lower emissions. It also facilitates instant response, resulting in a better driveability and manoeuvrability. UD SLF power train is dimensioned to get the greatest possible power out of the engine. An integrated retarder with a unique torque convertor enhances braking power. The engine coupled with a 6-speed automatic transmission and integrated retarder and optimized rear axle ratio delivers high performance required in city’s start stop. The 6-speed automatic transmission with NBS (Neutral Bus Stopping) feature offers unmatched smooth progress and ride comfort.
Better Driver Performance
- Ergonomically designed and clearly marked instrument panel switches, height and angle adjustable steering
- Wider and clear windscreen and electrically operated ORVM for better visibility
- Clutch free driving, Powerful progressive power steering system for effortless driving
- Pneumatically adjustable seats, 3-point seat belt
- Individual AC console for the driver comfort
- Systems with up to date vehicle data & fuel consumption
