The "Garib Rath" Of Tamilnadu. Review on Tips on Traveling in Buses

I have always been a fan of the State Express Transport Corporation(SETC) which used to be earlier Thiruvalluvar Transport Corporation(TTC), which I have been patronsing since 1981.TTC holds the record for the fastest Chennai-Trichy journey I have performed by bus - 5.75 hours in 1987 by route 575 Cross(Chennai-Rameswaram)

While the condition and upkeep of SETC buses still leaves a lot to be desired , the one area where none can match SETC is seat comfort ; and I am saying this after travelling in many buses across the country. Seats in SETC and the earlier Avtaar TTC have always offered good leg room, the best cushion and near perfect ergonomics.

I happened to travel Trichy-Chennai last week in a bus on Route 123AC .Reclining seats in superb airconditioned comfort - all for Rs.275 per head.Two movies were screened and the bus made only one scheduled halt .With all the highway work and maddening traffic outside Chennai, the bus did the journey in a reasonable 7.5 hours with the driver doing a steady 65-70 kmph.The interiors were neat(head rest covers were complimentary from Femina Mall so were clean).Seats were well shampooed, the floor vinyl was neat.A/C, Audio-Video was all spot on. I had done the Chennai-Trichy leg on a KPN Volvo for Rs.460 and that bus did the distance in 7.25 hours - no great difference in either neatness or speed but cost almost twice.

My take on all this is to patronise TN Govt. Transport Services as all said and done they are indeed value for money - like the Garib Rath !!!

UPDATE Jun2010

This time I found there are Low Floor Volvos run by TNSTC - five services a day Trichy-Chennai.

The first one is at 0900 hrs and they claimed the journey would take 5.5 hours;tall claim I thought.But I was proved wrong.

I was in Vadapalani at exactly 1415 hrs , 5hrs 15 mins after the bus left Trichy.

Summary:

Airconditioned but no video;good songs are played, though through a decent qualityIBE(In Bus Entertainment) Much smoother ride than the regular Volvos Effortless manouvering and overtaking Speed restricted to90-95kmph - that's what I felt Rs.330 Fare- a steal The evening services start 1830 hrs and are there every hour or so - ideal for those wanting to get to the airport for a night flight No luggage racks but plenty of room on the walkway Excellent comfortable option -one can forget Vaigai and Pallavan Expresses. Gets into ONLYVillupuram and Tindivanam for passengerpick up.