This is my second review on Mouthshut.Though my review is not primarily on KSRTC , I want to share certain observations & my experiences with BUS TRAVEL with you folks.
I have been reading reviews of Paulo . Neeta . KPN . Seabird . VRL & its surprising to see people suffering due to bad conditions and bad quality travel.
I get a doubt in my mind - "Is there a GOOD/DECENT private operator at all ??"
In fact many of them seem to have undergone nightmares and regretting why they chose to travel with these private operators
Why private operators should be avoided ?? (common problems)
1) Departure and Arrival timing are a big Joke !!!
2) Starting the journey itself will be an endlessssss wait
3) Sometimes make you run from place to place for pick-up
4) Luggage/Cargo first priority , passengers are last preference
5) 3 out of 5 times , the driver/cleaner is rude or irresponsible
6) They act like doing a favor to you and show you hell lot of drama [double-bookings]
7) Management people are money-suckers themselves , so complaints/concerns are just ignored
8) Maintenance - there are numerous examples of people traveling in AC buses without A/C , entire journey in loud vibrations & sleepless night
9) No basic facilities at offices [toilets , even proper chairs]
Coming to KSRTC ...
KSRTC is definitely better compared all others , I don't say its the BEST
Of course there are many people who have suffered with KSRTC also (incl myself) , yet its much much better option to consider after reading all these harassment stories of private operators.
No system will be Perfect , so does KSRTC !!!
Good things of KSRTC
1) KSRTC having amazing fleet of buses compared to any other RTC [Kerala , TN , MH].
We are not bothered about which state introduced the first Volvo service ?
Which RTC is offering what? , but we have some damn good/solid fleet of buses for sure.
2) When it comes to KSRTC , passengers come first , luggage or cargo is secondary
3) Reasonable fares & minimal obstacles during journey [tension free]
4) Reach your destination with negligible delays
5) You find many of the Driver/Conductor to be disciplined (at least not harsh) , to put in other words even if they are rude by nature , they are supposed to respond to passengers in proper way [ as per directives from KSRTC higher officials ]
6) Routine care of bus fleet [from Airavat Sleeper to Rajahamsa]
Bad/shocking things of KSRTC (some are common for others also)
1) If you people really see the places where these buses are parked , you won't feel like traveling in them.
2) Especially in Bangalore[Majestic] I have seen - Volvos , Rajahamsas , Coronas .. are parked on sewage , stinking garbage , on stagnating urine [ yucckkkkkk ]
3) But can't help with this issue , parking in a city like Bangalore (ouuufffff , can't imagine)
4) Many a times they pit-stop at terrible restaurants with bad toilets
5) If you are stuck in a wrong Bus, bed bugs can be a menace in KSRTC , again due to unhygienic conditions [in spite of having routine checks]
My bad experiences ( I am not a regular traveler in Bus)
Blr to Dharmastala : Karnataka Vaibhav , 9:45PM departure , at 11:30 we are still opposite Isckon temple, Bangalore. At 4:00 reached Saklespur , as we went down Shiradi ghats , bus was making crazy sound (as if its going to dismantle and split apart) :D
We reached the destination on time though !!!
These vaibhav buses are terrible actually [huge risk by govt.] , its the worst push-back i've seen , congested build inside
Munnar to Blr : This has to be my worst experience till date !!!
Rajahamsa , 5:30PM departure , we were enjoying the breathtaking views of Munnar , everything was fine until Udumalpet (KL - TN border) , things got worse as we entered TN [hot weather].
Bed bug menace started , all over the seats , floors , itching with no sleep.
Passengers complained to conductor and were angry at him , screwed him , poor fellow replies that recently chemicals were used to kill them and they have come once again.
I do have had good experiences w/o any problems with KSRTC.
Funny thing is , I have not traveled in a Volvo bus till date.
Lastly : Luck also matters a bit when it comes to Bus travels.
If you are stuck in a wrong bus ...
delays , A/C problems , bed-bugs , sleeplessness can ruin your Journey.
Update1
Recently I traveled in KSRTC volvo for first time in my life.
Journey was morning one from Shimogga to Bangalore, all in all had a good impression and nice experience.
Bus was quite old, but was well insulated. There were quite a lot of mosquitoes towards the rear, dunno how they got there.
Comments & Criticism are welcome
BMS
