I do not look for options for this journey. Its KSRTC Airavat Club Class all the way - and I look for alternatives only when I end up not getting seats on this bus. This trip to TW's place for Onam was no different. I didn't look beyond this bus this time as well.
September 11, 2019:
Very few local buses seemed to be running on the day - most buses had taken a break for Onam. I was worried about getting to Palakkad, and ended up hiring an auto for the distance. I was at the bus station by around 2100hrs - my bus hadn't lined up yet, but it was parked a little away though. Soon later, the bus was brought in and boarding commenced. Like always, the bus was sold out today as well, and people got in real quick.
We started moving from Palakkad bus station at 2137hrs - seven minutes behind schedule. The driver was really lug happy, and kept shifting to the top most gear in no time. The engine struggled as it tried to pump out power at low rpms and high gears. The bus took the conventional route to get to Chandranagar, and joined the highway. I pushed back the seat and slept off soon later. I usually struggle to sleep on my way back to Bengaluru - but this time was a little different since I was fairly exhausted and tired.
I slept quite well - and woke up only when the crew stopped the bus for a break - turned on the lights and called out passengers (0313hrs). We were at Hotel Surya - a terrible places frequented by TNSTC buses - they overcharge for everything and try fleecing hapless passengers who end up there. You end up paying a fortune even to use the restroom (there is a free option for the males though). The crew returned after about 10 minutes, and we got moving by 0328hrs (a few passengers decided to have sumptuous food at this time and ended up delayed the bus). I always struggle to understand the need for this break, given that Bangalore is a little over an hour from there!
I dozed off for a while, and woke up just as the bus rolled in to Electronic City toll gate. We dropped passengers at the stop after the toll gate (0428hrs), took the elevated highway and rushed towards Silk Board. We got to Silk Board by 0437hrs, quickly dropped passengers and continued. The next drops were at Madiwala Police Station (0440hrs) and St. Johns hospital (0443hrs). We got to Shantinagar bus station at 0451hrs - I looked around to see if there were enough passengers that the crew would head to Majestic - I was flummoxed to see more than half the bus still occupied! The bus finally reached Majestic (Kempegowda Bus Station) at 0459hrs - a whole 41 minutes before schedule!
Remarks: The bus, KA-57-F-256 of Bengaluru-4 depot was in good shape. Both the crew members were friendly and soft spoken. The driving style was 'boring', but very sleep friendly. I slept well except for the time the crew woke up people for the break. The service, as usual, was excellent! The bus took a little over 7 hours - perfect time to sleep well!
Amenities:
Blanket: Yes
Water: Yes
Snacks: No
Charging Point: Available, did not use.
Entertainment: Available, not used.
Ratings:
Maintenance: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Driving: 4.5/5
Crew behaviour: 5/5
Punctuality: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Pros: Great Service, Excellent crew.
Cons: Maybe that break early in the morning!
Will I take this service again? Absolutely!
September 11, 2019:
Very few local buses seemed to be running on the day - most buses had taken a break for Onam. I was worried about getting to Palakkad, and ended up hiring an auto for the distance. I was at the bus station by around 2100hrs - my bus hadn't lined up yet, but it was parked a little away though. Soon later, the bus was brought in and boarding commenced. Like always, the bus was sold out today as well, and people got in real quick.
 |
| The bus: KA-57-F-256 |
We started moving from Palakkad bus station at 2137hrs - seven minutes behind schedule. The driver was really lug happy, and kept shifting to the top most gear in no time. The engine struggled as it tried to pump out power at low rpms and high gears. The bus took the conventional route to get to Chandranagar, and joined the highway. I pushed back the seat and slept off soon later. I usually struggle to sleep on my way back to Bengaluru - but this time was a little different since I was fairly exhausted and tired.
I slept quite well - and woke up only when the crew stopped the bus for a break - turned on the lights and called out passengers (0313hrs). We were at Hotel Surya - a terrible places frequented by TNSTC buses - they overcharge for everything and try fleecing hapless passengers who end up there. You end up paying a fortune even to use the restroom (there is a free option for the males though). The crew returned after about 10 minutes, and we got moving by 0328hrs (a few passengers decided to have sumptuous food at this time and ended up delayed the bus). I always struggle to understand the need for this break, given that Bangalore is a little over an hour from there!
I dozed off for a while, and woke up just as the bus rolled in to Electronic City toll gate. We dropped passengers at the stop after the toll gate (0428hrs), took the elevated highway and rushed towards Silk Board. We got to Silk Board by 0437hrs, quickly dropped passengers and continued. The next drops were at Madiwala Police Station (0440hrs) and St. Johns hospital (0443hrs). We got to Shantinagar bus station at 0451hrs - I looked around to see if there were enough passengers that the crew would head to Majestic - I was flummoxed to see more than half the bus still occupied! The bus finally reached Majestic (Kempegowda Bus Station) at 0459hrs - a whole 41 minutes before schedule!
Remarks: The bus, KA-57-F-256 of Bengaluru-4 depot was in good shape. Both the crew members were friendly and soft spoken. The driving style was 'boring', but very sleep friendly. I slept well except for the time the crew woke up people for the break. The service, as usual, was excellent! The bus took a little over 7 hours - perfect time to sleep well!
Amenities:
Blanket: Yes
Water: Yes
Snacks: No
Charging Point: Available, did not use.
Entertainment: Available, not used.
Ratings:
Maintenance: 5/5
Cleanliness: 5/5
Driving: 4.5/5
Crew behaviour: 5/5
Punctuality: 5/5
Overall: 5/5
Pros: Great Service, Excellent crew.
Cons: Maybe that break early in the morning!
Will I take this service again? Absolutely!
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