Me and Rahul had plans for a Vijayawada trip from almost a year but small obstacles here and there always made us push the plan further and further. But, Finally this time, we planned for it and thankfully, everything just fell in their places perfectly.
So, We knew that we were supposed to get KA53C 9 to Vijayawada. But what excited us was the fact that we were going to have Mr.Vijay with us on the ride this time! His skills are amazing, and i have missed going with him plenty of times. Thankfully, he was on duty this time, and his partner was Mr Srinivas, whose induction to MST Scania was on KA42B 9, in May last year! He was super sedate that time as it was the first ride and trip of KA42B 9 and he was just shifted to Scania,so it was his first duty on a Scania that time. I Was eager to watch him drive, as i wanted to know how well he had taken to the Griffin.
So, we walked to our boarding point at Anand Rao Circle and boarded the bus, and i greeted Mr.Vijay, who was equally happy to see me. Exchanged Pleasantaries, took our seats, the usual wrapped blankets and water bottles were already kept, perfect as usual, and left for the next point at 8:05pm. Slowly waded through the chaotic bangalore traffic and Stopped at Marathalli for almost 15-20 minutes, where KA42B 9 went towards Anand Rao circle for its pickup to Hyderabad.
Quickly left the city with a slight drizzle and Stopped near hoskote for a bio-break. Mr Srinivas then took over from here,put the bus into Manual Shift mode, and he was super smooth, yet fast. Quickly finished the 4 lane section after Mulbagal and we entered the 2 lane section. I Quickly went to the cabin and decided to watch the drive. Quick, Smoooth overtakes of KSRTC, APSRTC,SVKDT,Sri Krishna and all happened before Chittor and it was just too good to see them performed by Mr Srinivas with such ease and confidence. He had really taken well to the griffin and was loving it. We Stopped for a quick bio break at Chittor and got struck at a railway crossing a bit ahead. A few Volvos that we overtook, took on the wrong side and went ahead of us as we were waiting for the crossing to open. Our Coach Captain saw this, and took them all aside a few minutes later! Never mess with the boss!
I was in the cabin till 2:20 am and decided to catch a few winks to see Mr Vijay take over duty at 4:30 am. We stopped for a small break again at 4:40 ish and Vijay, the rockstar took over the wheels, ripping away the instant he sat! Amazing pickup and control. I again went to the cabin at 5:15 am and was watching him glide over the roads with his amazing skills and the griffin, too, had his back and was impressive as usual. No Jerks, Perfect stability and powerful!
Had a quick tea break at around 6:30am, Where finally, Rahul came to the cabin! He was enjoying the ride as well. Stopped at Guntur, dropped passengers, departed and again we were zooming towards Vijayawada. Entered Vijayawada and finished dropping at 8:15am, and went towards the parking and had sizzling shots of the beauty! 4lakh km on the odo but still fresh and super smooth!
Epic ride. Vijayawada-Bangalore Sector has a leader and its Morning Star! Maintaining such high standards from the past few years is no joke, and MST is doing it beautifully! Hats off! and Hope to see higher standards from MST in the days to come.
So, We knew that we were supposed to get KA53C 9 to Vijayawada. But what excited us was the fact that we were going to have Mr.Vijay with us on the ride this time! His skills are amazing, and i have missed going with him plenty of times. Thankfully, he was on duty this time, and his partner was Mr Srinivas, whose induction to MST Scania was on KA42B 9, in May last year! He was super sedate that time as it was the first ride and trip of KA42B 9 and he was just shifted to Scania,so it was his first duty on a Scania that time. I Was eager to watch him drive, as i wanted to know how well he had taken to the Griffin.
So, we walked to our boarding point at Anand Rao Circle and boarded the bus, and i greeted Mr.Vijay, who was equally happy to see me. Exchanged Pleasantaries, took our seats, the usual wrapped blankets and water bottles were already kept, perfect as usual, and left for the next point at 8:05pm. Slowly waded through the chaotic bangalore traffic and Stopped at Marathalli for almost 15-20 minutes, where KA42B 9 went towards Anand Rao circle for its pickup to Hyderabad.
Quickly left the city with a slight drizzle and Stopped near hoskote for a bio-break. Mr Srinivas then took over from here,put the bus into Manual Shift mode, and he was super smooth, yet fast. Quickly finished the 4 lane section after Mulbagal and we entered the 2 lane section. I Quickly went to the cabin and decided to watch the drive. Quick, Smoooth overtakes of KSRTC, APSRTC,SVKDT,Sri Krishna and all happened before Chittor and it was just too good to see them performed by Mr Srinivas with such ease and confidence. He had really taken well to the griffin and was loving it. We Stopped for a quick bio break at Chittor and got struck at a railway crossing a bit ahead. A few Volvos that we overtook, took on the wrong side and went ahead of us as we were waiting for the crossing to open. Our Coach Captain saw this, and took them all aside a few minutes later! Never mess with the boss!
I was in the cabin till 2:20 am and decided to catch a few winks to see Mr Vijay take over duty at 4:30 am. We stopped for a small break again at 4:40 ish and Vijay, the rockstar took over the wheels, ripping away the instant he sat! Amazing pickup and control. I again went to the cabin at 5:15 am and was watching him glide over the roads with his amazing skills and the griffin, too, had his back and was impressive as usual. No Jerks, Perfect stability and powerful!
Had a quick tea break at around 6:30am, Where finally, Rahul came to the cabin! He was enjoying the ride as well. Stopped at Guntur, dropped passengers, departed and again we were zooming towards Vijayawada. Entered Vijayawada and finished dropping at 8:15am, and went towards the parking and had sizzling shots of the beauty! 4lakh km on the odo but still fresh and super smooth!
Epic ride. Vijayawada-Bangalore Sector has a leader and its Morning Star! Maintaining such high standards from the past few years is no joke, and MST is doing it beautifully! Hats off! and Hope to see higher standards from MST in the days to come.
