Sabharwal Travels, one of the leading passenger transport companies in North India, is chalking out some robust strategies to ramp up operations. The leading bus operator in Delhi, which would be celebrating its Golden Jubilee this year, has firmed up plans to get into the intra-city transportation segment, apart from expanding its fleet of vehicles.
The company, formerly known as Sabharwal Tourist Bus Service, was started by the late Shri Gyan Chand Sabharwal at Delhi Cantt in 1966. Beginning with just one bus, Sabharwal Travels is now having a fleet of 108 buses, most of which are premium ones.
In an exclusive interaction with MOTORINDIA, Mr. Harish Sabharwal, Managing Director, Sabharwal Travels, stated: “Sabharwal Travels, which was formed with the idea of providing state-of-the art passenger transport service to the tourist, industrial and trading communities, was started by my grandfather in 1965 with one bus (body built) which would cost Rs. 18,000 (Rs. 13K chassis cost + body fabrication Rs. 5k) at that point of time. What differentiates us from others is that we have established ourselves as a business concept for providing ultra-modern fleet and varied options to suit specific customer requirements. Over the years, we have enhanced our credentials for providing total customer satisfaction through consistent improvement in our quality of services and effective use of technology. Apart from providing bus service, we also offer other allied services such as hotel bookings (across the country), package tours, conducted tours, etc. Our objective is to ensure total customer satisfaction through dedicated, personalized, safe & sound services.”
It is to be mentioned that Mr. Harish Sabharwal (a third generation entrepreneur), and his sons, Mr. Rachit Sabharwal and Mr. Kunal Sabharwal, are now incorporating modern business practices involving enhanced focus on online and app-based bookings. With branches in Delhi, Gurgaon and Jaipur, operations are now spread across northern and western parts of the country.
Talking about its future course of action, Mr. Sabharwal added: “As we are celebrating our 50th Anniversary this year, we are charting out plans for the next phase of growth that involves not only expanding our current fleet but also foraying into newer segments. After gaining a strategic foothold in the staff transportation and tourist bus segments, we are keen to diversify into the intra-city transportation segment. To further our objective, we will be expanding our fleet size further. We are getting into hi-tech transportation and are keen to grab some tenders from the Government which has recently passed a resolution to induct hi-end buses in its fleet to cater to the middle class people who would like to switch over from their personal vehicles to public transport for commuting. Unlike the existing buses, the new ones will be equipped with high-end features like CCTV, ABS, mikes, airbags, GPS, GPRS, etc.”
The decision comes in the wake of the Delhi Government announcement of its plan to induct 1,000 buses on PPP basis.
When asked to cite reasons for getting into short haul-routes, Mr. Sabharwal asserted: “Since we were born and have grown up here (in Delhi), we are deeply rooted in its culture. We would like to expand our business here rather venturing into other cities. We are very much habituated to the way a bus is run here as we are running long haul routes for 50+years in various cities. So it would be a logical progression for us to get into short-haul transportation solutions. We have some rightful and emotional connection for expanding in Delhi and would like to enhance our business opportunities here. So whenever the Delhi Government comes out with an announcement, we should be the first company to jump on the bandwagon.”
When it comes to sourcing next-generation buses, Sabharwal Travels has always been at the forefront. It is in fact one of the few firms which has bought vehicles from all OEMs like, BharatBenz (first in North India). Tata Motors, Eicher, Force Motors, Ashok Leyland, Volvo et al and are in process to purchase from Scania too. However, it has sourced most of the chassis from Tata Motors followed by Ashok Leyland and other OEMs. When Mr. Harish Sabharwal stepped into the business, the buses’ bodies were built by Rama Body Builders (from 1983 to 2003). Later on, it allied with Amar Body Builders and of late has been working closely with Sheena Body Builders.
“Although there are many fleet operators in the city, we have managed to carve our niche by building a long-term relationship with a lot of multinational and national organisations by providing dedicated vehicles on a monthly/yearly basis for commuting their employees. In addition, we also provide AC/non-AC luxury coaches, tempos and cabs for specific/casual requirements of companies/organizations, like conferences, dealers meets, etc., all over India. We are also providing mini-buses and MPVs as per the demand of companies, educational institutes and foreign/ domestic tourists on a casual, monthly or yearly basis,” disclosed Mr. Sabharwal.
It is to be mentioned that Sabharwal Travels has already tied up with Hero MotoCorp Ltd. (Daruhera, Haryana), Honda Motorcycle & Scooters India Pvt. Ltd. (IMT Manesar), Honda Cars India Ltd. (Greater Noida, UP), Sri Ram Fibres (Bhiwadi, Rajasthan), Atotech India Ltd. (Sidrawali, Haryana), Rico Auto Industries Ltd. (Gurgaon), Freescale India Ltd. (Noida, UP), National Council for Cement & Bldg. Materials (Ballabhgarh, Haryana), etc., for providing staff transportation services. Besides, its buses also traverse to popular tourist destinations in the North like Ajmer, Pushkar, Jaipur, Bikaner, Shimla, Manali, Mussorie, Haridwar, Nainital, Corbett, Badrinath, Chardham, Srinagar, Leh, Vaishno Devi, Amarnath Yatra and Gulmarg.
The 50-year-old bus operator has maintained that once it is able to get into intra-city transportation and bag new corporate clients, its total fleet will more than double to 250 buses. It is also aiming to clock Rs. 100 crores in the next 15-20 years.
While its expansion plans on track, the company has admitted that there are a lot of challenges to be faced. Mr. Sabharwal pointed out: “We are constantly been stopped at all the toll booths for tax payments. But we are hopeful of the implementation of National Permit for buses. The parking fees levied on us doesn’t yield us anything as there are no parking slots available for us. Besides this, the Supreme Court verdict is quite erratic and is hampering our business. These problems are further compounded by the paucity of skilled drivers. So a comprehensive transport policy is something which is very much desirable.”
It is also to be mentioned that Sabharwal Travels has achieved several accolades such as the Transport Kumar Award of India for 1999 and 2005 and the Transport Rattan Award for 2010 and 2011 at the All India Motor Transport Congress (AIMTC).
Mr. Sabharwal is the co-opted member of the Road Safety Cell of the Central Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways, Special Task Force of the Ministry of Transport of NCT Delhi, General Secretary of Delhi Contract Bus Association (R), Managing Committee member of the All India Motor Transport Congress of India (AIMTC) and also the Chairman of the United Front of Transport Association (UFTA).