Largest Single Order by a Private Bus Operator; Strengthens Premium Intercity Travel Network
Bengaluru, September 4, 2026: Vijayanand Travels Private Limited (VTPL) has placed an order for 150 Volvo 9600 luxury sleeper coaches with Volvo Buses India, marking the largest single order placed by a private bus operator with Volvo Buses. The landmark order was formally commemorated at a key handover ceremony in Bengaluru, reinforcing the decades-long partnership between the two companies and VTPL’s focus on safety, reliability and passenger comfort.
The latest investment will take VTPL to the highest Volvo bus count among private bus operators in India, as the company continues to expand its premium intercity network across South, West and Central India.
VTPL has built its reputation around premium, long-distance bus travel and has introduced several initiatives over the years, including dedicated ladies’ seating, in-house bus maintenance and repair facilities, and double-driver deployments on long-haul routes. The company also offers a flat 15% discount across intercity buses booked through its platform. Its booking app has crossed 2 million downloads, while around 20,000 passengers travel with VTPL every day.
Known for its focus on punctuality and long-distance connectivity, VTPL has also operated the Bengaluru–Jodhpur service, described as Asia’s longest bus route. As part of the latest order, around 70–80 coaches will be equipped with onboard washrooms, marking one of the largest such deployments in India’s private bus segment. The feature is aimed at improving convenience for passengers travelling on long-haul routes and supporting VTPL’s ‘Gold Class’ positioning.
Commenting on the order, Shiva Sankeshwar, Managing Director, Vijayanand Travels Private Limited, said, “Our association with Volvo goes back decades, and it has been built on one simple principle: our customers deserve the highest standards of safety, reliability and comfort. With this order of 150 Volvo buses, the largest single order placed by any private bus operator, we are significantly strengthening our fleet, expanding into new states, and reinforcing Vijayanand Travels’ position as India’s most trusted premium intercity travel brand. Volvo has been a long-standing partner in this journey, and this investment reflects our continued confidence in their technology, safety engineering and service ecosystem.”
B Srinivas, Managing Director & CEO, VE Commercial Vehicles, said, “Vijayanand Travels has been one of Volvo Buses’ most valued and longest-standing private operator partners in India, and this landmark order is a powerful testament to the trust built over decades. We take immense pride in being the preferred platform for operators who set the highest bar for passenger safety, comfort and reliability. The Volvo 9600 represents the pinnacle of intercity luxury, and to see it anchoring Vijayanand Travels’ ambitious pan-India growth story is deeply gratifying. We remain committed to supporting VTPL with world-class products, technology and after-sales excellence as they shape the future of premium intercity travel in India.”
Volvo 9600 Sleeper Coach
The Volvo 9600 platform is based on an award-winning European design and has established benchmarks in luxury, comfort and intercity travel across India. Its distinctive Tall Boy design provides a spacious passenger environment and can accommodate 40 sleeper berths, along with 8.5 cu. m. of luggage space.
The coach is powered by Volvo’s D8K 8-litre engine, which produces 260 kW (350 HP) at 2,200 rpm and 1,350 Nm of torque at 1,200–1,600 rpm. The engine and purpose-developed drivetrain are designed to support fuel efficiency, lower total cost of ownership and higher vehicle uptime.
The Volvo 9600 chassis is equipped with an I-Shift automated manual transmission, Electronic Braking System (EBS), Hill Start Aid and Electronic Stability Program (ESP). Safety features include a Fire Detection and Suppression System (FDSS) for the engine compartment and Fire Alarm and Protection System (FAPS) in the passenger area.
Manufactured at VECV’s facility in Hoskote, Karnataka, the Volvo 9600 combines Volvo’s global engineering with local manufacturing capabilities, supporting the company’s ‘Make in India’ approach and its focus on products suited to Indian operating conditions.
