[sv1976]

I was going through this thread for any operator with a new bus in BLR-Ernakulam route. Any recommedations?

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by sv1976

I was going through this thread for any operator with a new bus in BLR-Ernakulam route. Any recommedations?

"Newest" would be Bharathi's Mercedes. They are running a Bangalore-Alappuzha-Changanassery service. Shama was sending their new buses on this route until about a month back - now they are sending their oldest B9Rs on the Ernakulam Route.

Another alternative is the KSRTC Airavat Club Class.

[coolclouds]

Last weekend, traveled to Kochi.

Onward journey was on 5pm dep KeSRTC Volvo which reached St. Johns at about 6pm. Staff were good and the cabin smell as we enter was great, got a feeling that it has returned after a nice service. The drive was comfortable, no rash driving but use of horn in the night was too much.
It went through L& T byepass, skipped Palghat BS and got into Trichur bus stand to drop few. Finally, reached Ernakulam BS at 4.35am.

While coming back, got a ticket on 9pm departure Palghat-Bangalore Super Deluxe air bus. It looked like many of the passengers were regular on Sundays as they were having a nice chat with the conductor/driver. They waited for a passenger (?) and finally started at 9.15pm

The driver looked quite faster and rash initially especially while overtaking others. Overall the drive was ok and it reached Electronic City at 4.15am with one break for tea.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

While coming back, got a ticket on 9pm departure Palghat-Bangalore Super Deluxe air bus. It looked like many of the passengers were regular on Sundays as they were having a nice chat with the conductor/driver. They waited for a passenger (?) and finally started at 9.15pm

I think we might've crossed each other at PLKD depot! I'd been inside, waiting for the 22:20hrs TSR-BLR AC Globus. Had a nice time bus fanning, I must say! Yeah, and I'm a regular in that SDX Airbus, but couldn't get tickets this time, and hence had to endure a bumpy ride in the Globus.

The driver looked quite faster and rash initially especially while overtaking others. Overall the drive was ok and it reached Electronic City at 4.15am with one break for tea.

I know two drivers who generally work this schedule, and I never felt them to rash - maybe it's another guy. But reaching E-City at 4:15am leaves me The actual ETA is around 5:45am. Full 90 minutes ahead of time would mean that the driver was in a real hurry, or extremely excited or both. Which bus was it, btw - RRC973?

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by silversteed

I think we might've crossed each other at PLKD depot! I'd been inside, waiting for the 22:20hrs TSR-BLR AC Globus. Had a nice time bus fanning, I must say! Yeah, and I'm a regular in that SDX Airbus, but couldn't get tickets this time, and hence had to endure a bumpy ride in the Globus.


I know two drivers who generally work this schedule, and I never felt them to rash - maybe it's another guy. But reaching E-City at 4:15am leaves me The actual ETA is around 5:45am. Full 90 minutes ahead of time would mean that the driver was in a real hurry, or extremely excited or both. Which bus was it, btw - RRC973?

Hey, we missed to meet!

Now a days, I find this bus more confortable as we can have some good food at KR, non stop service and reaching Bangalore early morning gets me a quick sleep.

Sorry, I couldn't check the bus number. This time, it was quite faster than every time and I felt very uncomfortable by the way he overtook other by cutting just behind. Again, he was too fast at Avinashi stretch and deviations. It reached Salem (near Ford) at around 1am.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

While coming back, got a ticket on 9pm departure Palghat-Bangalore Super Deluxe air bus. It looked like many of the passengers were regular on Sundays as they were having a nice chat with the conductor/driver. They waited for a passenger (?) and finally started at 9.15pm

They do wait for reserved passengers. They'd wait for upto 15~20 minutes. AC Bus conductors would call up the passenger on the mobile number provided during reservation to check up if he/she would be joining or not. KeSRTC provides a great service - only that they have very little services, and the buses are growing too old.

The Palakkad S.Dlx is always among the first to reach Bangalore - I've seen it near Bommanahalli around 5~5.15 many times.

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by binaiks

They do wait for reserved passengers. They'd wait for upto 15~20 minutes. AC Bus conductors would call up the passenger on the mobile number provided during reservation to check up if he/she would be joining or not. KeSRTC provides a great service - only that they have very little services, and the buses are growing too old.

The Palakkad S.Dlx is always among the first to reach Bangalore - I've seen it near Bommanahalli around 5~5.15 many times.

I used to keep Bommanahalli as boarding point on KeSRTC TVM Volvo and Thiruvalla Super Deluxe. Always, I used to get a call from conductor asking me to board from the bus stop before elevated highway so that they can proceed through the elevated flyover. I think they are using their personal phone to make these calls.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by binaiks

They do wait for reserved passengers. They'd wait for upto 15~20 minutes. AC Bus conductors would call up the passenger on the mobile number provided during reservation to check up if he/she would be joining or not.

I've seen the SDX conductors too calling people on their mobile phones. And once I saw a conductor giving exact directions to the boarding point, to a lady, over the phone. I haven't seen any bus crew giving such clear-cut instructions.

KeSRTC provides a great service - only that they have very little services, and the buses are growing too old.

Indeed a great service. They are doing the best they can with the aging buses. They might not look beautiful and bling bling outside, but the buses provide for a comfortable and safe journey, unlike many others.

The Palakkad S.Dlx is always among the first to reach Bangalore - I've seen it near Bommanahalli around 5~5.15 many times.

Yeah, that's right. I'm a regular in that service these days

[shalini_g]

Do we have online booking for KeSTRC ?

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by shalini_g

Do we have online booking for KeSTRC ?

www.keralartconline.com

[freakmuzik]

I would like to get some advice on travelling between Trivandrum and Chennai. I did not find much info regarding this here. According to my limited knowledge, the major buses that ply on this route are Parveen travels' Mercedes and SRM volvo. Which do you think would be better? I have seen mixed reviews about Mercedes Coaches in T-BHP. Can any one advice me on this please?

[pypkmsrikanth]

Take the SRM multi axle, the best of the lot among the Chennai - Tvm services.

[coolclouds]

Try SRM non stop service (7.15 pm Departure; Rs. 1050). This should be one among the fastest services.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by freakmuzik

I would like to get some advice on travelling between Trivandrum and Chennai. I did not find much info regarding this here. ...

Trivandrum-Chennai route has the following operators: SRM, Rathimeena, Bharathi, Tippu Sultan, Parveen, Jeppiar and ARC. Except the last 2 operators, all others run Multi Axle buses. SRM is the fastest, followed by Rathimeena.

[sandeep959]

I am planning a trip from Pondicherry to Calicut on Aug30. a friend suggested that Pondicherry RTC runs a deluxe bus from Pondicherry to Mahe and also Universal travels have an A/c bus, can anyone suggest anymore travels ot either of the two??