This is my second review on Mouthshut.Though my review is not primarily on KSRTC , I want to share certain observations & my experiences with BUS TRAVEL with you folks.
I have been reading reviews of **Paulo** . **Neeta** . **KPN** . **Seabird** . **VRL** & its surprising to see people suffering due to bad conditions and bad quality travel.
I get a doubt in my mind - "**Is there a GOOD/DECENT private operator at all ??**"
In fact many of them seem to have undergone nightmares and regretting why they chose to travel with these private operators
*Why private operators should be avoided ?? (common problems)*
1) Departure and Arrival timing are a big Joke !!!
2) Starting the journey itself will be an endlessssss wait
3) Sometimes make you run from place to place for pick-up
4) Luggage/Cargo first priority , passengers are last preference
5) 3 out of 5 times , the driver/cleaner is rude or irresponsible
6) They act like doing a favor to you and show you hell lot of drama [double-bookings]
7) Management people are money-suckers themselves , so complaints/concerns are just ignored
8) Maintenance - there are numerous examples of people traveling in AC buses without A/C , entire journey in loud vibrations & sleepless night
9) No basic facilities at offices [toilets , even proper chairs]
*Coming to KSRTC ...*
KSRTC is definitely better compared all others , I don’t say its the BEST
Of course there are many people who have suffered with KSRTC also (incl myself) , yet its much much better option to consider after reading all these harassment stories of private operators.
No system will be Perfect , so does KSRTC !!!
*Good things of KSRTC*
1) KSRTC having amazing fleet of buses compared to any other RTC [Kerala , TN , MH].
We are not bothered about which state introduced the first Volvo service ?
Which RTC is offering what? , but we have some damn good/solid fleet of buses for sure.
2) When it comes to KSRTC , passengers come first , luggage or cargo is secondary
3) Reasonable fares & minimal obstacles during journey [tension free]
4) Reach your destination with negligible delays
5) You find many of the Driver/Conductor to be disciplined (at least not harsh) , to put in other words even if they are rude by nature , they are supposed to respond to passengers in proper way [ as per directives from KSRTC higher officials ]
6) Routine care of bus fleet [from Airavat Sleeper to Rajahamsa]
*Bad/shocking things of KSRTC (some are common for others also)*
1) If you people really see the places where these buses are parked , you won’t feel like traveling in them.
2) Especially in Bangalore[Majestic] I have seen - Volvos , Rajahamsas , Coronas .. are parked on sewage , stinking garbage , on stagnating urine [ yucckkkkkk ]
3) But can’t help with this issue , parking in a city like Bangalore (ouuufffff , can’t imagine)
4) Many a times they pit-stop at terrible restaurants with bad toilets
5) If you are stuck in a wrong Bus, bed bugs can be a menace in KSRTC , again due to unhygienic conditions [in spite of having routine checks]
*My bad experiences** ( I am not a regular traveler in Bus)
*Blr to Dharmastala** : Karnataka Vaibhav , 9:45PM departure , at 11:30 we are still opposite Isckon temple, Bangalore. At 4:00 reached Saklespur , as we went down Shiradi ghats , bus was making crazy sound (as if its going to dismantle and split apart) :D
We reached the destination on time though !!!
These vaibhav buses are terrible actually [huge risk by govt.] , its the worst push-back i’ve seen , congested build inside
*Munnar to Blr** : This has to be my worst experience till date !!!
Rajahamsa , 5:30PM departure , we were enjoying the breathtaking views of Munnar , everything was fine until Udumalpet (KL - TN border) , things got worse as we entered TN [hot weather].
Bed bug menace started , all over the seats , floors , itching with no sleep.
Passengers complained to conductor and were angry at him , screwed him , poor fellow replies that recently chemicals were used to kill them and they have come once again.
I do have had good experiences w/o any problems with KSRTC.
Funny thing is , I have not traveled in a Volvo bus till date.
**Lastly*** : Luck also matters a bit when it comes to Bus travels.
If you are stuck in a wrong bus ...
delays , A/C problems , bed-bugs , sleeplessness can ruin your Journey.
*Update1*
Recently I traveled in KSRTC volvo for first time in my life.
Journey was morning one from Shimogga to Bangalore, all in all had a good impression and nice experience.
Bus was quite old, but was well insulated. There were quite a lot of mosquitoes towards the rear, dunno how they got there.
Comments & Criticism are welcome
*BMS*