Joseph Machado of Udyavara in Udupi drives the Mumbai-Mangaluru Airavat Club Class bus of KSRTC a day before his retirement, on May 29, 2026. Of his 34 years in the KSRTC, he spent 22 years at the helm of the Volvo fleet of buses. His service record is spotless.
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
After 34 years behind the wheels, including 22 years on the Volvo fleet of the Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC), Joseph Machado of Udyavara-Udupi hanged up his keys on May 30. He left with a spotless service record.One among the first batch of drivers chosen to drive the Volvo class of buses when KSRTC introduced them in 2002 in Bengaluru, and subsequently in Mangaluru, Mr. Machado drove varied classes of premium services during his tenure.Ferrying thousands of passengers safely with a smile on his face, Mr. Machado was accorded a warm farewell by his fan-passengers and colleagues a day before his retirement when he began to drive the Mumbai-Mangaluru Airavat Club Class on May 29.Describing him as friendly, smiling and caring, the fans rued that they would miss his company in their future journeys.
Joseph Machado of Udyavara in Udupi was called the ‘cheerful face’ of KSRTC. He retired in Mangaluru on May 30, 2026.
