Rajkot ST launches new Volvo services amid summer rush, sleeper buses still await tender clearance

The Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) has introduced two new Volvo bus services from Rajkot to Vadodara to cater to the surge in passenger demand during the summer holiday season. 

To address growing passenger traffic, the Rajkot division has launched two new Volvo seater bus services between Rajkot and Vadodara from Tuesday. The buses will depart at 9.30 am and 5 pm daily.

The ST administration is also planning to introduce five additional Volvo services on the Rajkot-Vadodara and Rajkot-Bhuj routes in the near future.

Officials said efforts are underway to improve connectivity on long-distance routes in response to rising passenger demand. Plans have been drawn up to deploy six more Volvo seater buses on routes connecting Rajkot with the Statue of Unity, Jamnagar via Morbi, and Dahod.

According to transport department sources, the corporation is also examining the possibility of introducing a special 15-metre-long double express bus service to accommodate heavy night-time passenger traffic.

The tendering process for the procurement of Volvo buses is currently in its final stages, and officials said the proposed services are expected to be rolled out once the formalities are completed.

Meanwhile, the summer vacation period has resulted in a significant increase in revenue for the Rajkot division. Officials said daily earnings from Volvo operations, which normally range between ₹10 lakh and ₹12 lakh, have risen to approximately ₹14 lakh to ₹15 lakh due to the seasonal rush.

However, this comes even as the long-awaited resumption of Volvo sleeper bus services remains delayed due to pending tender procedures.

Officials said sleeper Volvo buses, which were once operated on the Rajkot-Vadodara route during night hours, have remained off the roads for a prolonged period after services were discontinued. 

Sources indicated that the delay in restarting the premium sleeper services is linked to the non-finalisation of the tender process for new Volvo buses.