The Tamil Nadu State Express Transport Corporation (SETC) has introduced premium intercity transport services with the flag-off of 20 new Volvo 9600 15-metre seater coaches. The buses were inaugurated by the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Thiru M. K. Stalin, at Island Grounds in Chennai. The induction represents an important step in the Government of Tamil Nadu’s continued efforts to modernise public transport and strengthen long-distance luxury travel services across the state.
The flag-off ceremony was attended by several senior dignitaries, including Thiru S. S. Sivasankar, Hon’ble Minister for Transport, Government of Tamil Nadu; Thiru P. K. Sekar Babu, Hon’ble Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments; Thiru Shunchonngam Jatak Chiru, IAS, Principal Secretary, Transport Department; Thiru R. Mohan, Managing Director, SETC; Thiru T. Prabhushankar, IAS, Managing Director, Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC); Thiru Dayanidhi Maran, Hon’ble Member of Parliament; and Tmt. Priya Rajan, Hon’ble Mayor of Greater Chennai Corporation.
The induction of these coaches highlights the Government of Tamil Nadu’s emphasis on improved passenger comfort, enhanced safety standards, and the ongoing modernisation of state-operated transport services.
Manufactured at Volvo Buses India’s advanced production facilities, the Volvo 9600 coaches represent the latest generation of Volvo buses available in the Indian market. Designed with passenger comfort as a priority, each coach is delivered in a premium 51-seat configuration. Each luxury seat is equipped with calf support, offering superior comfort, safety and ride quality for long-haul intercity operations. Built to ensure high reliability and consistent performance, the Volvo 9600 supports SETC’s objective of raising service benchmarks for bus passengers on key routes.
Speaking on the occasion, Suresh Chettiar, Executive Vice President – Bus Division, VE Commercial Vehicles, said that the company is proud to partner with SETC and the Government of Tamil Nadu in strengthening the state’s intercity transport ecosystem through the induction of Volvo 9600 coaches. He added that these buses are engineered to deliver world-class comfort, safety and operational reliability, aligning with SETC’s vision of providing a superior travel experience while setting higher standards for public transport in Tamil Nadu.
