Jul 26, 2014 02:52 PM
7778 Views
I booked ITDC-seabird Tirupati Seeghra Darshan 1 day package for 24th July 2014 from Bangalore for 4 people(Ticket-2019573). I had my wife and my old parents with me.
I asked the operator guy at pickup point if there will be any stoppages in between and he said after 1 hr the bus stops at a restaurant so that the passengers can go to toilet or get refreshments. Although they started on time(on ac Volvo Bus no. 2206) to my surprise the driver said there is no stop in between and passengers had to wait till we reach Tirupati. After requesting him constantly he stopped by the roadside where only Gents relieved themselves in open but ladies had to stay in bus as there was no toilets there.
After reaching Tirupati at 3 am early morning, they took us to an average quality hotel. Guide gave us only 30 minutes to freshen up and get ready and he said the bus would leave without the passengers who would fail to get ready within 30 mins. Then we were taken to breakfast area. Guide took us to Padmavati temple first and then to Tirupati. We got into the queue to get SeeghraDarshanam ticket at 6 am and got the ticket by 11:00 am because of the huge rush. After the lord's darshan by 12:10 pm, my parents were completely tired so we sat and relaxed in the temple for 10 mins. Then we started to walking to the shop where Guide has asked to meet. When we reached the shop by 12:30, the shopkeeper said the bus has already started and gave us the bus number and asked us to run and catch the bus. Being with my old parent, I had a tough time to find the bus.
The trouble doesn't end here. Once we reached the bus, guide shouted at us for being late and talked very rudely. I told him that I have old parents with me and we did not waste any time purposefully to which he started shouting even in a louder voice humiliating us in front of other co passengers. On the journey back to Bangalore, they took us to a restaurant for lunch(included in package). The people from other buses ware also present in this Restaurant which had single toilet/handwash for ladies and gents each, resulting us to wait in a long queue. In the evening around 5 pm, the temperature inside A/C bus was very low. When we asked for blankets the helper refused to give any. I have been to Tirupati earlier too on 1 day package tour by other bus operators which were quite OK. but this was the worst experience. They don't give a damn to passenger's comfort. My Advice to all, If you are visiting Tirupati with your family, think twice before you decide to travel with Seabird.
