K.B. Ganeshkumar as driver: New Volvo for KSRTC; most equipped bus available in India, says Minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was Minister K.B. Ganeshkumar who took the wheel of the new Volvo 9600 SLX series bus purchased by KSRTC when it was tested in the capital yesterday. "It is a matter of pride that KSRTC, as a transport corporation, has been the first to book and take delivery of this newly manufactured Volvo model in India," the minister said.

"KSRTC was the first to buy two buses when Volvo first came to India in 2002. This is the most equipped bus available in India. The safety features are excellent. It has technology to stop the vehicle by applying sudden braking if the vehicle tilts above a certain angle. The driver has a seat with excellent suspension. It has a facility to lift the bus if it falls into a pit or gutter, and other features including cameras."

KSRTC driver can be monitored from control room

Whatever the driver does in the new Volvo 9600 SLX series bus that KSRTC has purchased, it will be shown live on the screen in the control room. The camera is installed in that way. It will be possible to know whether the drivers are sleeping while driving or doing something else to prevent sleepiness. There are also other cameras inside the bus for security.

During the test drive, Minister K.B. Ganeshkumar himself demonstrated the system for watching everything live.