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. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
They said he was never late for a trip, never took a rash turn, and always has a smile on his face for every passenger. From Mangaluru to Pune, Mumbai and Bengaluru and back, thousands of passengers enjoyed a safe and pleasant journey because of his steady hands, and kind heart.
Joined KSRTC in 1992
Mr. Machado told The Hindu that he joined the corporation in 1992. He was initially posted at the Kundapura depot. He began by driving the Kollur-Chennai Rajahamsa service. Later, the service was upgraded to an Airavat (Volvo) bus.
From 2008, he was shifted to the Mangaluru depot. driving the Mangaluru-Chennai Airavat, Mangaluru-Mumbai Airavat and later the Mangaluru-Pune Ambari Utsav services.
His last duty was driving the Mumbai-Mangaluru Airavat Club Class bus on May 29, Mr. Machado said. The corporation, during the 34 years of service, looked after him well, including six months of paid leave in 2018 when he underwent open heart surgery. He recalled the love, affection and co-operation of his colleagues, including Mangaluru Senior Divisional Controller Rajesh Shetty.
Joseph Machado’s last duty was driving the Mumbai-Mangaluru Airavat Club Class bus on May 29, 2026. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
He has two daughters. The elder one works as a software engineer in Dubai while the younger one is pursuing a B. Sc. course in Manipal, Mr. Machado said.