Hey everyone, this is Amit Patel here, 42 years old, from Ahmedabad. I've been in the tour bus business for over 15 years now, starting as a driver for my uncle's small fleet and now managing my own company, Patel Travels, with 12 coaches serving routes from Gujarat to Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and even down to Goa for the tourist season. We handle everything from family pilgrimages to corporate outings and school trips.

Last February (2025), I decided to expand and picked up the BJ6122 Diesel Bus from a dealer in Mumbai. It was a bit of a leap – I'd always stuck with the usual Indian and European brands – but the specs won me over: a semi-monocoque body for that sturdy feel, 12.5 meters long with a flat floor for easy boarding, curb weight of 13.5 tons and max gross at 18.5 tons. The right-hand drive setup fits perfectly here, and with dimensions of 12500×2550×3790 mm, it maneuvers well even on our crowded NH48.

The heart of this beast is the YCK08330-50 engine – an inline six-cylinder diesel with 330 HP at 2200 rpm and a massive 1700 Nm torque at 1200 rpm. It's Euro 5 compliant, which is great for the stricter emission zones popping up in cities like Delhi. Paired with a Fast 6DS180T manual transmission and hydraulic retarder, it handles the ghats near Mount Abu like a dream, climbing grades up to 25% without breaking a sweat. Fuel consumption? We've been averaging around 3.8-4.2 km per liter on long hauls, staying under that 25L/100km limit even with full AC blasting in the 45°C Rajasthan summers.

Speaking of comfort, the interior is what really sets it apart for our passengers. With 49 adjustable airbag seats – those dual-density cushions feel like business class – and a guide seat up front, everyone settles in nicely. The inner height over 1.9 meters means no one bumps their head, and the tinted side windows keep the glare out during those midday runs from Ahmedabad to Udaipur. We've got two roof hatches for ventilation, LED strip lamps for ambient lighting, and a 24" front TV plus a 19" mid one for movies on overnight trips. The Songz AC at 34,000 Kcal/h cools the cabin fast, even loaded with 51 people (driver included).

Safety-wise, it's loaded: WABCO ABS, disc brakes front and rear, automatic clearance adjusters, and that 6-airbag Koman suspension (2 front, 4 rear) smooths out the potholes on state highways. The TPMS keeps tabs on the 295/80R22.5 tires, and we've got an engine compartment automatic fire extinguisher plus temperature alarm – peace of mind when you're pushing 100 km/h on the expressways. Min turning radius under 13 meters helps in tight tourist spots like Jaipur's old city.

Over these 10 months, we've clocked about 152,000 km without major hiccups. Sure, we had to replace a couple of belts at around 90,000 km (cost about ₹12,000) and the AC compressor needed a tweak during monsoon, but that's normal wear. The 9.6 m³ luggage compartment swallows all the bags for group tours, and the automatic doors (pneumatic outward swing) make loading quick. Fuel tanks at 300L each mean fewer stops on the 800 km Indore-Delhi run.

Honestly, this bus has boosted our bookings – passengers love the little extras like the reading lamps at air outlets, the fridge, and even the sleeping compartment for the driver on long shifts. It's not just a vehicle; it's become the star of our fleet. If you're thinking of upgrading for intercity or tourist ops in India, give the BJ6122 a serious look. It's reliable, efficient, and doesn't burn a hole in your pocket like the premium brands.

Amit Patel

Ahmedabad, December 10, 2025