I had booked three tickets on Sharma transport to travel from Bangalore to Chengannur for Non-AC semi sleeper bus. We had to attend my brother-in-law’s enagegement ceremony the next day morning. On day of journey, 22-Nov-12, the bus arrived one hour late. From the outside, the bus looked pathetic as if it had never been washed or cleaned. The staff there started loading commercial luggages to the roof top which took another one hour. The bus now looked like it was about to explode. Finally, at 7.00pm(sheduled 5.00pm), the we started our journey.
Just after it travelled for couple of hours, nearing Krishnagiri, the bus started developing problems. The rear type had deflated. They did not even have stepney. They had to phone up their colleagues to loan stepneys from other buses. After nearly 1.30 hrs, they kind of fix it and we set off again. But just as it reached Walayar checkpost, the same problem propped up again. They drove to a type shop where they spent more than an hour to fix the problem. Then again as we reached Palghat boundary, the same problem and the same delay. This happens again near Angamaly and this time our patience ran out. It was morning 7.30am next day and we were still near Trichur. We should have reached destination by this time. We started shouting at the driver and staff but of no use.
We had to reach home before engagement ceremoney begins. So, we decided to dump this pathetic bus and took a taxi from Angamali to Chenannur(abt 120kms). It cost us an extra Rs.2500/-. The taxi driver understood our need and drove at a steady speed and we finally managed to reach home just in time. And just as we were alighting from the bus, the driver tells me that they will soon be stopping the bus again as the same problem has developed again. Can you imagine!
We will never forget that painful journey that Sharma transport gifted us. I wonder how on earth they decide to run such old & unfit buses on long routes. Just wonder if they do some basic fitness check before beginning a long journey. I am determined NOT to use Sharma transport ever in my life even if I have no other options open. I would rather not travel than opting for Sharma.
I wish the WORST in life for who ever is responsible for day-to-day operations of Sharma transport. God willing, we will see their buses in gutters or scrap yards one day!