I started this discussion for all to share their experiences with Bangalore Bus Operators. If any of you had similar experiences, do post the same. Any comments on this post are always welcome.I am one of those many who work in Bangalore but are not native to Bangalore. Even tough there are some trains to my native (Ernakulam) from Bangalore, they are always booked in advance. So I am forced to rely on private Bus operators for my trips to native place. To inform all you that these private bus operators are the main reason not many trains new trains are allocated in the Bangalore – Kerala route. They pay bribe to prevent any new train allocation in the route so that they can charge heavily.
Private Bus operators who charge heavily more often provide poor service. Add to this arrogant behavior by staff, reckless driving which puts the passengers life in jeopardy.I had experienced arrogant behavior by staff but here I am posting here the worst experience I ever had – with Shama Travels.I had taken a ticket to travel from Ernakulam to Bangalore by Volvo Buson 29-Dec-2008 through Ensign Agencies (ticketing agency), (near Bhima Jewellers, MG Road, Ernakulam. Phone:0484-2375080 ).The travel operator assigned has been Shama Travels (the party mentioned). The Ticket charge paid was Rs 750.Bangalore, the Bus stopped around Salem on the highway. We were infomed that the Bus broke down and they cannot continue. It was around morning 5 am and all the passengers had get down on the highway. It was scotching cold during early morning andall passengers including me had to wait and tried to stop the incoming vehicles to get in.
After around 1 hour of effort (note all of us passengers where shivering!!!) I was able to get in one of the local bus with all of my luggage and had continue my journey (around 4 hours) till Bangalore standing in the local bus and had to go through the trouble of passengers get and in and out in the local bus (with all my luggage).
I had to pay another amount around Rs.100 from Salem to Bangalore for the local Bus.
After a lot of trouble of reaching the destination, I reached the Madiwala office of Shama Travels. I asked for a refund for the amount paid. The Madiwala office manager was not even waiting for me to hear what I need to say and abused me saying that this is not the first time a bus has broken down. Then later he only agreed me refund the amount incurred for the local bus.How can a local bus be compared to Volvo bus? taking into account all the trouble I had been through I had to be paid a minimum of 50% refund. When asked for better refund, the manager along with an associate abused me and told me to get out of the office and mentioned he will not even give me a paisa as refund.
There was another husband and wife who argued for the same and they were also told the same, the husband was told since a lady is along with him they are behaving this way if not they would have been worse!!!!.The manager along with an associate came out and threatened me why I was standing there and again shouted at me saying to get out of the office. I had to get out of the office immediately fearing physical consequences.I am posting this on 19th Sep, 2010 even though the incident happened during Dec 2008 since I could not find any page to post review for Shama Travels earlier I am more proactive now and always book train tickets in advance. Trains are cheaper, comfortable and reliable!!!. There more Trains in the Ekm-Bglore route at present than it was in 2008.