I had to return urgently from Bangalore to Mumbai, and that too in the mid of the summer vacation season. I came to know of the journey on a Friday evening, and reaching Mumbai before Monday evening was compulsory. I made visits to the railway counters trying for tickets on any possible routing. Flights too were mostly overbooked, and I had no other option other than the Volvos! Ironically, I had a confirmed train ticket but that was for Monday evening!I made a visit to KSRTC reservation counter at Kempegowda Bus station in Bangalore, but was greeted with a non-working "link" at the reservation counter.
I rushed out to Jayanagar where there was another KSRTC operated counter. There everything was fine. The buses on Saturday evening were absolutely full, and only one seat was available on the bus departing Bangalore at 1500 on Sunday. I literally grabbed the seat!I was quite worried/anxious about the 18 hour journey ahead. I somehow pacified my mind. The bus came in at around 1430. The under-carriages were opened, and my luggage was kept inside. (A luggage Identification Tag was given for the same!!!). I entered the bus, and my seat was 39.
The bus was NOT a semi-sleeper one, but a normal one. The monster pulled out at 1500 sharp, and Bangalore’s crater filled roads were not a problem for the "advanced" suspension of the bus. We hit the National highway in no time, and the bus was cruising at speeds in the range of 80-100.The bus lost time at many places due to traffic snarls, but the service was absolutely outstanding. The driver ensured that he drove safely, and there were no rash overtakes or sudden brakes. The retardors provided in the bus made braking easy for the driver.The bus stopped for tea/dinner breaks are good motels and not the usual "dhabas". We reached Kolhapur by 0100, and pune by 0630.
The bus had a long break at Pune (The engine was kept on!!). A good number of passengers got down, and all their seats were occupied by new passengers from Pune. We pulled out of Pune Swargate Bus Station by 0715, and stopped for breakfast at the first food plaza on the express way. He reached Belapur CBD by 0900. All he required for the Pune-Belapur journey was an hour and 45 minutes, while MSRTC buses require 2 hours and 30 minutes! He maintained speeds in the range of 100-120 on the expressway!The bus is a sure and safe bet for those who do not get tickets on trains!