This is a review of KSRTC, which is the state government body for handling inter-district
transportation within Karnataka. I am reviewing KSRTC based on the facilities they
offer for one of the busiest routes within karnataka, ie, Bangalore and Mangalore. So, your
experience may differ if you are travelling on other routes within our state.
I feel KSRTC has done a fantastic job of getting to be profitable and competing favorably
with other private carriers in the state like Sugama, Durgamba, Ideal, ...etc. The plus points
I see in their services are
1. Booking facilities -- Online reservation system
KSRTC online booking is so widely used and employed for bus-tickets that it is possible to book
tickets by anyone, anywhere. I think they give contract to just about anyone to book tickets online.
All it requires is a TVS printer, a computer and online connectivity for a few minutes. It also supplements
peoples income by means of some little commission. While booking, we can choose the timings for the
day of travel, the seats we want. Very convienient and straightforward. Other companies cannot match kind of facility. Now if they only make it online by means of a credit card, then it would be superb....
The KSRTC ticket can also be used within Bangalore to travel from anywhere within city to come to
majestic (without ticket purchase).
2. No delays
For other private carriers, they wait until the bus gets full or some threshold point of passengers is
met. No such case, in KSRTC. They leave pretty much on time and arrive quite comfortably within the
time, barring some mishaps like road blocks. In my case, I have experienced some delays because of
road getting blocked in ghat sections due to some other accidents. But apart from these, they are
very prompt both in departure and arrival.
3. Safe driving
KSRTC staff are pretty good. Conductors are very helpful and friendly. Drivers are experienced and
good. In one time, one driver was feeling very sleepy. It was night time driving and I think it is
understandable. Instead of driving and risking the lifes of passengers, he stopped the bus for about
1/2 hour, slept for some time and then drove on, while still arriving in Mangalore at the scheduled time. Imagine, what would have happened if he had tried to drive while struggling to stay awake?
Also, KSRTC buses are hardwired never to exceed more than some 60 kmph. So even if the bus
driver wants to speed, he cannot do so. That way too, you will feel safer.
Very few carriers exist that have a ’’plan B’’ in case some mishap like tire puncture or axle cut happens.
For KSRTC, they put the people along the next KSRTC bus that comes along on that route. No extra cost. Just the way it should be.
4. Cost
Cost for ultra-delux (Rajahamsa) are pretty reasonable. In private carriers, they take about 240-250
rs for travel from Bangalore to Mangalore. In KSRTC, this route comes for 215 or so.
There are other options like AC (Iravata) and just ordinary red busses which are cheapest. In terms of
cleanliness within bus, I find Rajahamsa to be reasonably clean. The guys replace the seat covers
daily and clean the bus before departure. The curtains are pretty clean too.
On a private carrier this may not be the case. Once while traveling in Ideal travels, I was kept
awake and given company by bed-bugs in the seat. I had lots of rashes in the morning because of
all the scratching I had to do.
Agreed that cost is not that major difference and seating is more comfy in private carriers. But other pluses makes KSRTC very good option to travel within state.
Some things which can be improved:
- Kempegowda bus-stand is a mess when there are large masses of people going to other districts
on a long holiday. They can improve that to make it more orderly.
- I hope they announce a sleeper bus between the cities. I am sure people will welcome it with great
fervor.
- Make the online reservation system accessible to the public, like the railways. Not just to some
agents.