Swedish transport services leader AB Volvo plans to extend its services to cities such as Chennai, Hyderabad, Pune, Mumbai and Ahmedabad, following an overwhelming success in Bangalore.

A dozen Volvo buses were introduced into Bangalore as a pilot project two years back through Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC). This came as a boon for people who did not find the existing public transport system convenient and had to commute long distances in private vehicles. Many techies who earlier travelled by autos and their own vehicles switched to high-tech luxury buses by Volvo.

According to Volvo, its air-conditioned buses will modernise transport facilities for millions of people by providing safe, effective and eco-friendly buses to the general public. The recent hike in fuel prices has made demand for a safe comfortable and efficient public transport system all the greater.

BMTC has also added 60 Volvo buses on various routes connecting main roads, IT centres, and other strategic locations. Akash Passey, Volvo Buses India managing director, said that BMTC's introduction of a fleet of 40 customised Volvo buses to ferry passengers to and from the new airport at Devanahalli, nearly 40km from the city, was a major turning point for Volvo.

BMTC plans to introduce another 240 Volvo buses by 2009, and hopes to lure people to public transport and reduce traffic congestion. Passey concluded that in spite of the huge initial investment, Volvo will see huge benefits in the long term. X

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