Mangaluru, (The Hindu): The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) promises enhanced comfort to passengers travelling in the recently inducted long-chassis multi-axle buses that have cruise control, an automated gear shift system and Anti-Braking System (ABS).

Being run under the Airavat Club Class brand, 23 such buses were recently inducted into the KSRTC fleet and were given to Bengaluru Central, Mangaluru and Mysuru Rural Divisions for operation on trunk routes. KSRTC would receive 92 more such buses in the current financial year. While the Mangaluru Division has deployed these buses in the Mangaluru-Bengaluru and Mangaluru-Mumbai sectors, the Bengaluru Division has deployed them in Kozhikode, Chennai, Vijayawada and Sriharikota sectors and the Mysuru Division in the Bengaluru sector.

A senior KSRTC official told The Hindu that the buses, complying with BS IV emission standards, have steerable rear-wheel axle for better smaller turning radius thereby negotiating sharp curves. The feature also offers better riding comfort, he said. The officer said the manual as well as the intelligent automated gear shift changing system offers smooth journey to passengers even as the electronically controlled suspension system enhances their travel comfort. While existing multi-axle buses of KSRTC were 13.5 m long, the new buses come in 13.8 m and 14.5 m length with 47 and 51 seats respectively. There is more leg room, the officer said. The corporation inducted over 3,000 new vehicles in 2016-17 that included Airavat Club, Diamond Classes, Rajahamsa and ordinary ones.