Re: Intercity Bus travel reviews Had a quick round trip to Chennai over the last weekend. A quick review Outward Trip: April 19, 2013
Operator: Bharathi Travels
Bus: TN73-E-3937 (Volvo B9R Semi-Sleeper)
Pickup point & Time: Madiwala, 2314/2336hrs (Scheduled: 2315hrs)
Drop point & Time: Chennai CMBT, 0630hrs (Scheduled: 0530hrs)
I booked the ticket through GoIbibo.com using a discount coupon (saving Rs. 115). Choosing Bharathi took a really long time – was confused between a lot of options, including KPN, VRL, etc. I decided to try out Bharathi, since it was really long since I traveled by one of their services. On the day (er! Night) of journey, my bro dropped me at Madiwala by about 2230hrs. Met some acquaintances there and spent time till about 2300hrs. Later, headed to Alhind Travels, who handle Bharathi buses at Madiwala, and waited for my bus. A lot of Greenline buses came by at that time – I never knew Greenline was such a big player – they had lots of AC sleeper buses, and all of them looked in good shape as well. My bus turned up at 2314hrs, and started moving after the pickup at 2316hrs itself – I was impressed, since the scheduled time was 2315hrs! But that impression was short lived – the driver pulled to the side and parked – as the agent checked all seats. We finally left at 2338hrs. In the meantime a lot of buses to Chennai whizzed past. Madiwala was the last pickup – we had about 48 passengers on board and moved out. The cleaner came around and distributed 1 litre water bottles!! I slept soon after we crossed Electronic City (the bus went below the flyover). I woke up in between, and the bus was at Hosur then (0032hrs). I was fast asleep when I jolted awake – we had a puncture!! The crew sprung into action and changed the tyre – I slept before the bus started off. Woke up when a kid in the bus started crying out – 0200hrs, near Krishnagiri toll. It took quite some time for the parent to cajole it to keep quiet. Had a nice sleep then on – woke up as the cleaner shouted out Poonamalle – 0550hrs. Then the bus went via Porur, Guindy (0610), Ashoka Pillar (0617) and Vadapalani (0623hrs). I was finally dropped outside CMBT Metro bus terminus at 0630hrs – an hour past the scheduled drop time. The overall journey time was 6h54m – that includes the time lost in changing the tyre.
Overall rating: 4.5/5. The seating was bit tight – maybe because the reclining angle was really good. (Punctuality gets a 4 on 5, Maintenance gets 4.5/5 and driving gets 5/5). Maintenance loses points since the AC vent right above me did not have a closure!! Return Trip: April 21, 2013
Operator: Vijayanand Roadlines (VRL)
Bus: KA25-D-1403 (Volvo B9R Semi-Sleeper)
Pickup Point & Time: Koyambedu, 2317hrs (Sch. Dep: 2315hrs)
Drop point & time: Silkboard junction Bangalore, 0435hrs (Sch. Arr: 0445hrs @ “Bangalore”)
Booking this one was no-brainer decision – this was the cheapest option for that night, plus the discount for booking through their site. I was at CMBT by 2230hrs itself – roamed around the bus station for quite some time, and clicked some pics. I got a message containing the bus details by 2200hrs itself. The bus came in at 2300hrs itself – boarding started immediately. The bus was ready to leave by 2313hrs – just when a passenger decided to take a leak – he came back only at 2316 hrs. The attendant quickly took a headcount, and we got moving at 2317hrs – 2 minutes late. The driver was absolutely awful at the beginning – he was lugging the engine badly, and driving was worse than some KSRTC guys. I slept off hearing the cries from the engine as it kept pleading for mercy. Had a nice straight undisturbed sleep – woke up at 0410hrs – at a place that I thought to be Krishnagiri toll gate. I thought I still have time, and continued sleeping. I woke up at 0430hrs, just the bus was running past my stop – Bommanahalli!! The attendant shouted out “Silk Board”… the bus dropped me at the beginning of the flyover exactly at 0435hrs! He took all of 5h18m for the journey!!
Overall rating: 5/5 (Driving gets only 4.5/5, all other points get 5/5!!) Definitely recommended!! |