I travel frequently b/w Bangalore(where I live) and Manipal(which is my hometown) and have been travelling by KSRTC’s Volvo(Airavata) service for the past year or so. Having travelled for more than a year by half a dozen private operators(predominantly Durgamba volvos), I definetly rate KSRTCs Volvo service to be the best atleast on the Bangalore - Mangalore/Udupi/Kundapura route.
The KSRTC Volvos buses are clean and reasonably well maintained eventhough the road b/w Blore and Mlore is really bad(as compared to Durgamba Volvos which I have found to be in increasingly bad shape with leaks, non functioning A/c and creaking seats). In my last trip, after departing Mangalore bus stand, the bus pulled into the Mangalore depo to get some problem fixed. Although this caused a 30 minute delay, I prefer to travel in a bus which is well maintained and problems fixed, rather than with operators who have no facility to fix a snag should one develop enroute(and they do quite frequently, most commonly with the A/c which is an absolute must in these buses).
The driver & conductor are well mannered and helpful. Buses are well driven and I have not seen any accidents involving KSRTC Volvos. 1/2 ltr packaged drinking water, wet tissues and rugs are standard on these busses. The service is more or less on time and reach Mlore early morning even with the congestion at the ghats.
Pros:
1) Reliable & faitly ontime service.
2) Clean and well maintained busses.
3) Well mannered driver/conductor.
4) Online reservation(Still has some teething trouble, but the good n/w of booking agents makes up)
5) Accident insurance(for all KSRTC passengers)
6) Best service amongst all operators on Bangalore - Mangalore route
7) 10% discount on return ticket(if booking onward and return tickets simultaneously)
Cons:
1) No pickup and drop in Bangalore. Starting point/final stop is Majestic/Kempe gowda bus stand(KBS). This can be a problem if you have considerable luggage. Also KBS is extremely crowded during festival season. Need to start very well in advance to get to KBS in time.
2) Slightly expensive for one way tickets due to a number of’extras’ that get added to the fare.
Inspite of the pain of having to go to Majestic, I prefer the KSRTC service since its been the most reliable and tension free operator that I have travelled on in recent times.