National Travels is one of the oldest and most reputed bus fleet operators in Karnataka. With its head office at Kalasipalyam in Bengaluru, the company offers a wide range of bus services from Bengaluru to Chennai, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad and other cities across the country.
While National Travels is well known for its regularity and on-time performance, its group companies, such as its cargo carrier service which offers value-priced parcel delivery covering major destinations, provide value-added services for customers.
Founded in 1930, National Travels was started by Mr. B.P. Basheer Ahmed Khan. It was then taken over by his sons, and the first bus service by name ‘Karnataka Express’ was introduced between Bengaluru to Belagavi via Hubballi. Presently the company is run by the second generation headed by Mr. Zameer Ahmed Khan and his brothers.
We spoke to Mr. Shakeel Ahmed Khan, Proprietor of the company, and brother of Mr. Zameer. Recalling the initial days, Mr. Shakeel observed: “We started with four buses connecting Bengaluru to Mumbai. We had to struggle a lot as a start-up private fleet operator, but our intact passion, perseverance and patience helped us to grow and sustain. We have a current bus fleet size of 1,740 buses which includes 40 dedicated buses for intercity night services and 1,700 factory run buses to carry employees. The 40 dedicated buses consists of Ashok Leyland AC and non-AC buses, Volvo, Scania and Mercedes Benz semi-sleeper and sleeper coaches. While the factory buses are mostly Ashok Leyland and Tata buses.”
National Travels started its first intake of premium range OEM vehicles with Volvo B9R multi-axle coaches, which were semi-sleepers. With time National upgraded their fleet with Sutlej body built Mercedes Benz multi-axles. The operator has now incorporated Volvo B9R multi-axle sleeper coaches and Scania Metrolink HD multi-axle semi-sleepers and sleeper coaches in its fleet.
National is amongst the first fleet operators in India to have sleepers built on Scania driveline. Upgrading and the going for the latest in the industry has been a National’s delight. The operator has recently introduced two Volvo B11R I-Shift multiaxle 14.5 metre semi-sleeper coaches named ‘Sultan’ and ‘Noorjahan’ in its fleet, which is on the Bengaluru-Mumbai route currently.
National also started its longest route – Bengaluru-Ahmedabad – by AC sleeper services from November this year, and it is currently the longest route it covers. The new service has helped the Gujarati business community staying in Bengaluru as it is convenient to travel by bus as compared to train services due to heavy rush and unavailability of tickets. The bus service takes less time than the train services and provides comfortable and convenient ride on this more than thousand km route one way.
National Travels buses are well supported by an in-house fleet maintenance infrastructure in its garage premises. It has tyre fitting and removing machine, a vehicle service station, a paint booth and a body building shop for repairs. Buses are also sent for company servicing as and when required. National has a good network of its offices across India. Apart from its head office at Kalasipalyam, the fleet operator has branch offices in Mumbai, Pune, Hyderabad, Hubballi, Belagavi, Coimbatore, Salem, Tirupur, Kolhapur, Vita, Ahmedabad, Surat and Baroda. The communication and official network is generally maintained over phone calls, followed by branch office visits as and when required.
Dazzling bus names
National Travels buses and coaches are popular amongst passengers for their beautiful and attractive body graphics and livery. Asked about the same, he said: “We are re-living decades of our passion from olden days. Our buses, especially the premium range coaches, are famous for their dazzling graphics and unique names, based on Bollywood flicks. The graphics are designed by me, and it takes quite a lot of time and effort. One can also find our buses named on Bollywood flicks like Bobby, Julie, Sawaariya, Saajan, Taj-Mahal, Mumtaz-Mahal and lots more, which are very popular not only among our passengers but also among bus fans who follow our buses on roads. Our buses are identified by their unique names and sizzling graphics rather than their registration numbers.”
National Travels focuses on punctual timings, cleanliness and good crew behaviours as its USPs on the long run. Asked about vehicle brand selection, Mr. Shakeel termed passenger comfort and vehicle features as the main criteria that decide the fleet intake of the brand. Over the years National Travels has grown in terms of fleet and routes.
“We send our people from head office to study a new route and also keep in mind the availability of highway side hygienic hotels and toilet facilities for our passengers while deciding upon a certain route. We also keep in mind about the economic factor so that it is affordable for the passengers on board our buses,” added the Proprietor.
National Travels inducts company-trained drivers for the premium range buses. Instructions are being given to drivers and crews for safe and better driving on the part of the company. Mr. Shakeel raised concerns about the taxation policy with respect to private operators in Karnataka, and he expected that a better framework will be built based on a proper decision by the Government in the near future.
Passenger focus
National Travels gives utmost importance to passenger feedback and customer service. Feedback from passengers is taken online on a daily basis. It also uses the redBus platform to take feedback and suggestions. Passenger complaints, if any, are dealt with utmost importance and reverted back with proper action. The fleet operator has kept two officials to handle the customer service department to address issues related to services.
Speaking on the future plans and vision for National Travels, Mr. Shakeel concluded: “We at National Travels have a value-based company culture which has passed onto us – the second generation. We have belief to go ahead with a deep-rooted company motto – to provide better bus transport, good customer service and a devoted work culture which I believe will pave way for a better future for us all. We remain committed to remaining a sustainable fleet operator in terms of our services in the coming years.”
NATIONAL TRAVELS STATS
* Founded: 1930
* Number of buses in fleet: Total buses: 1740
Factory services: 1700, Night service: 40
* Longest route operated at present: Bangalore – Ahmedabad (1,680 km)
* Distance covered everyday: 35,200 km
* Passengers carried daily: 900 – 1,000
* Schedules per day: 22
* Workforce: 165