Responding to a growing demand from travelers, the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has successfully launched two new Ambaari Utsav sleeper buses connecting Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) in Bengaluru with Kundapur.
Since their introduction in January 2025 and running through August 2025, these two Ambaari Utsav services (bus numbers 44/45 and 39/40) have collectively served over 32,000 passengers, generating an impressive revenue of ₹42.06 crore.
Specifically, bus schedule 44/45 transported 16,024 passengers and earned ₹18.14 crore, while schedule 39/40 carried 16,099 passengers, contributing ₹23.92 crore to the revenue. These figures clearly highlight the increasing popularity of this essential airport connection, according to KSRTC officials.
This initiative marks a significant first for KSRTC, as it’s the inaugural deployment of sleeper buses on the lengthy Bengaluru airport–Kundapur route. These luxurious new services replace the previous Flybus coaches, which only offered seating options. The upgrade came after numerous requests from passengers, who often faced an arduous 11-hour journey.
The introduction of the Volvo 9600 multi-axle Ambaari Utsav sleeper buses provides a much-needed boost in comfort and convenience for travelers on this long route.
Elevating Long-Distance Travel
“Designed with long-haul journeys in mind, these buses boast a sleek, Scandinavian-inspired aerodynamic design and sumptuously comfortable interiors,” explained a senior KSRTC official. “Each 15-meter-long coach is equipped with 40 spacious sleeper berths, arranged in a 2×1 configuration, ensuring a far more relaxing trip compared to standard seated buses.”
The Ambaari Utsav buses maintain the same daily route as the former Flybus service, passing through key locations such as Hassan, Mangaluru, Udupi, and Manipal.
Currently, one bus departs from Bengaluru’s KIA at 9 p.m., reaching Kundapur by 8:15 a.m. the following day. Another service leaves at 10 p.m., arriving in Kundapura at 9 a.m. the next morning.
Meeting the Demand for Premium Sleeper Services
Officials further noted that the Ambaari Utsav fleet has been strategically introduced on other high-demand inter-city routes, including those connecting Bengaluru to Mangaluru, Hyderabad, Vijayawada, Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Calicut. “There’s been consistent and strong demand for sleeper buses, especially for long-distance airport routes. With Ambaari Utsav, passengers now have access to a technically advanced, premium travel choice,” an official elaborated.
Meanwhile, KSRTC’s established Flybus service, which offers premium seat-only airport shuttles, continues to operate, linking KIA with other significant cities and towns across Karnataka, such as Mysuru, Mangaluru, and Madikeri.