I would like to narrate my experience.
4 months ago I’d been to my hometown in Tamilnadu. In Tamilnadu, there’s a category of luxury buses with good suspension named "Ultra Deluxe". I boarded one of these buses from Salem by noon. All the other seats being occupied, I sat in the last seat. Unlike earlier I felt the lack of suspension and for every pit on the road, I could feel jerks in the bus to a large extent. During that time, the roads in Salem were being broadened and so lot of work was underway on the roads. The last night speed breakers were laid, but the workers forgot to paint them with white color bars. So the driver thought there’s no speed breaker and drove over 5-6 immediate speed breakers in full speed.
As a result of this, by the time the bus went over the 5th or 6th breaker, I flew from the seat, my head hit the end of the luggage rack and I landed on the next seat in a fraction of a second(Yeah just like a ROCKET). For a moment I did not know what happened. Then with fury, I walked towards the driver to enquire why he drove that way. As I walked I could see blood dripping from my head. The driver was driving in full speed like a hero. As I informed him of what happened, he replied he is doing his job and was least bothered to help me. At least the conductor gave ears checked my head and told me there’s a crack on my head and asked me to bear with it till a dispensary arrives. He informed there was none.
I asked him why the suspension was so bad. He informed me that the suspension unit costs 18, 000 Rupees and the corrupt officials swallow it sparing none for the bus. And see who has to bear the brunt! As any injured passenger is supposed to, I asked for "Safety Kit". He informed me that even the money for safety kit/medication is swallowed by those corrupt barbarians. He also told me that while normal buses charge only Rs 40, these "Luxury Sedans" charges Rs 100, without even the basic suspension offered by the normal buses! I took A TT Injection only at a Nursing Home which was the only remedy available at a nearest point after 25 min. And after some time the bus stopped midway because there was no diesel and some arguement went on between the Conductor and the Driver reg this. The bus stalled for another 30 min. NO Suspension, NO Safety Kit - chalega. But if no diesel? Hee Hee.
Years ago my Uncle always used to advise me to travel by Private buses only because of Govt. Buses’ rash driving.I neglected it . only to learn it the hard way. From outside these buses look better than others, but inside they’re nothing but junk. This is the service provided by the Govt. buses. Readers, you may travel at your own risk. I was asked to complain to Officials at some concerned Office. But I realised that It would be of no use. By God’s Grace I escaped from a major Head Injury, said a Doctor I later consulted. But certainly this Incident is not to be forgotten in my life.
My MESSAGE TO YOU: "AVOID GOVT BUSES IN TAMILNADU".