[libranof1987]

Originally Posted by binaiks

On the other hand, KaSRTC sends an SMS when a ticket is booked. This SMS is valid as a ticket. I have used this during my past two KaSRTC journeys, and there was no confusion on the part of the conductor at all! They happily accepted the SMS as my ticket, and they only asked for my identity proof.

Quite a few friends and I have had experiences otherwise. On all my Manipal-Bangalore, B'lore-Pune journeys, the conductors haven't encouraged using the SMSs (the one from eKSRTC) for proof of ticket.

Now that it is a notification from KSRTC itself, the concept will pick up.

Until recently, the SMSs on booking themselves were never 100% guaranteed.

[gold class]

KPN has started new sleeper A/C service to Hyderabad from Bangalore. The existing Volvo will move to Ernakulam -Hyderabad route after this month.

[addyhemmige]

Originally Posted by coolclouds

Thanks for the info on emergency quota tickets. I hope even KaSRTC do have something like this.

KaSRTC does have the emergency quota. I guess it is better known as MLA/MP quota. AFAIK, the seats are not open for reservation (online or otherwise). The conductor can sell those seats when the bus comes on the platform for departure. One of my friend who was related to an MLA's secretary used to get a letter from him to get a seat on a Rajahamsa during the festival rush.

[mash]

Originally Posted by gold class

KPN has started new sleeper A/C service to Hyderabad from Bangalore. The existing Volvo will move to Ernakulam -Hyderabad route after this month.

Travelled KPN once between HYD-BLR, it was fine and also they were not successful on this route, even in 2nd attempt they failed

[TKMCE]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

I need to book ticket from Madras to Kochi for next week online through redbus. However, all tickets are sold out it seems(don't prefer upper berth because elderly people are travelling with Me)
So, I am thinking of booking Madras to Coimbatore instead and Later Catch Bus from Coimbatore to Muvattupuzha.
I would like to Know Which is the preferred A/C Semi Sleeper Bus in Madras-Kovai Route and preferably reaching earliest. How is Conti Travels and "Barathi Travels"?

A word of caution. The hop via Coimbatore during Xmas time is not as easy as you think, esp since you have elderly people travelling with you. I tell this from personal experience when a memorable journey from Pune to Kochi by bus at short notice ( I could only ghet a confirmed bus ticket on VRL upto BLR)ended with the last 5 hours from Coimbatore to Kochi standing all the way from 10 PM to 3 AM reaching Ernakulam on Xmas day morning (and let me not foget the struggle of having to get down from the bus due to people pushing and shoving to get in at 3 AM- the bus was going to Trivandrum!!!). . In other words RESERVE YOUR COIMBATORE ERNAKULAM journey also in advance as there are lot people heading to Sabarimala who try their luck at Coimbatore.

The best option for you will be to book Supaa Travles who have an AC bus at 7 AM. They advertise online booking (never tried it myself) at

www.supaatravels.com

The 7 AM bus shows seats available for 22/23/24 December and you can get down at Angamaly or Ernakulam (you pay the same).

The challenge is to get a bus which will ensure you reach before 7 AM in CJB. If your connecting bus gets late (and the only guaranteed early arrival options before 7 AM are those buses going to Kerala or the Nilgiri Express train both of which are anyway full - the emergency quota options anyway will not work on these days since a lot of others will have the same idea and you are as I understand two or more people travelling together).
The other option is TNSTC from Salem to Ernakulam which has just introduced Eticketing www.tnstc.in.

There are three non AC buses ULTRA DELUXE from Salem which can be reserved and departs Salem at 6, 7 and 8 AM . While neither fast or comfortable compared to the SUPAA AC bus, picking up the bus at Salem, even the 6 AM bus will not be an issue. The 8 AM bus reaches around 6 PM at Ernakulam. However these buses are anytime more comfortable than the Kerala SRTC express or Super fast buses both of which allows standing pax and are not any more comfortable than SETC (although they are faster). The advantage with this option is your chance of mis connecting and getting stranded is less unlike the SUPAA option via CJB. Another reason for this is that unless the situation is very bad, the TNSTC bus will run while even i there is the slightest problem in Kerala , SUPAA eill cancel (the last motor Vehicle bandh in Kerala on Oct 4- Supaa cancelled while both KeSRTC and TNSTC operated hteir inter stare services)

But by all means RESERVE both parts of the journey and do it fast. Even the CJB/Salem buses will fill up in the next 4,5 daysf or 22,23,24.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.

[deepclutch]

@TKMCE: I know there will be Huge Crowd due to Holidays.

same reason I am hesitating to book Supaa Travels 7AM Bus is I am not sure if We will reach before 7AM at Gandhipuram,CBE. and KSRTC Kerala Bus can be booked through "Sarathi" website. also, from Ukkadam stand, Chain Services to Palakkad is available.

I have Tickets from Madras to Coimbatore with ARC Travels. Bus Leaves Koyambedu at 9.15-9.30PM as per redbus.in site. I am doubtful at what time Bus will Reach Coimbatore Since it is long time I travelled in this route. Can I expect around 6.30AM next day?
They have given contact numbers in the e-ticket. will call their Madras office to learn what time Bus may reach Coimbatore.

Thanks

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

I have Tickets from Madras to Coimbatore with ARC Travels. Bus Leaves Koyambedu at 9.15-9.30PM as per redbus.in site. I am doubtful at what time Bus will Reach Coimbatore Since it is long time I travelled in this route. Can I expect around 6.30AM next day?

Thanks

ARC should reach CBE at 6.30am unless there is a major traffic issue. You may book Supaa for onward journey.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

I have Tickets from Madras to Coimbatore with ARC Travels. Bus Leaves Koyambedu at 9.15-9.30PM as per redbus.in site. I am doubtful at what time Bus will Reach Coimbatore Since it is long time I travelled in this route. Can I expect around 6.30AM next day?

Originally Posted by coolclouds

ARC should reach CBE at 6.30am unless there is a major traffic issue. You may book Supaa for onward journey.

DC, ARC would reach by 6 o'clock, IIRC. I remember having been dropped at Gandhipuram at 5:45am once. That was more than a year ago, when the Salem-Avinashi stretch was a smooth road. Ring up their CBE office at +91-9788099000, these guys will have a better idea of the ETA

You can book the KSRTC CBE-KTR Superfast that leaves at 8 o'clock from Gandhipuram. Will be a safe bet. Does Supaa go to Muvattupuzha? I can see only places along the NH47 in their website.

I used to be a patron of the CBE-KTR SF until 2007- it would leave PLKD depot at 09:10hrs and drop me at Chengannur at 16:00hrs, IIRC, after a 45min lunch break at PBVR and a 15min stop at KTYM. The MC road used to be under construction at that time.

EDIT:

Originally Posted by coolclouds

Supaa is on Coimbatore - Ernakulam route.

Yes, I checked their website, they run CBE-TVM, CBE-EKM routes. DC has to go all the way to MVPA, so will it be a good option to have an additional switch at Ekm?

[coolclouds]

Originally Posted by silversteed

Does Supaa go to Muvattupuzha? I can see only places along the NH47 in their website.

Supaa is on Coimbatore - Ernakulam route.

[deepclutch]

Originally Posted by silversteed

DC, ARC would reach by 6 o'clock, IIRC. I remember having been dropped at Gandhipuram at 5:45am once. That was more than a year ago, when the Salem-Avinashi stretch was a smooth road. Ring up their CBE office at +91-9788099000, these guys will have a better idea of the ETA

You can book the KSRTC CBE-KTR Superfast that leaves at 8 o'clock from Gandhipuram. Will be a safe bet. Does Supaa go to Muvattupuzha? I can see only places along the NH47 in their website.

I used to be a patron of the CBE-KTR SF until 2007- it would leave PLKD depot at 09:10hrs and drop me at Chengannur at 16:00hrs, IIRC, after a 45min lunch break at PBVR and a 15min stop at KTYM. The MC road used to be under construction at that time.

EDIT:

Yes, I checked their website, they run CBE-TVM, CBE-EKM routes. DC has to go all the way to MVPA, so will it be a good option to have an additional switch at Ekm?

I called the Number You gave and the lady said ARC Bus Will reach Coimbatore by 6.30AM.

Supaa Travels and No.1 Travels runs in CBE-EKM Route. I used to get tickets to Angamaly as it is nearer to Muvattupuzha. from Angamaly, it is 50minutes-1hr journey.(34kms) . going to Ernakulam from northern side and travelling to Muvattupuzha is wasting 2 plus hours. So, KSRTC Bus towards Kottayam from Coimbatore are more convenient.

I checked "Sarathy" website and it shows tickets available for most Buses on the particular date. I would prefer to book 6.45AM Trivandrum Bus . I am hesitant to book ticket online because of the uncertain nature of the arrival time of Bus from Madras reaching Coimbatore.

Is there rush in morning times in Gandhipuram Bus Stand towards Kerala?

Thank You all for the Support

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

Is there rush in morning times in Gandhipuram Bus Stand towards Kerala?

On weekends, yes. I'm not so sure of week days though. Since it's the holiday week, it's better to reserve tickets.

Because of the inter-state dispute going on, there could be delays at the border. Keep following the news for updates, and plan accordingly.

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

Is there rush in morning times in Gandhipuram Bus Stand towards Kerala?

Guess you are traveling during the X-Mas weekend. The reservation availability is not an indicator of rush as far as KeSRTC buses are concerned - very few passengers reserve their tickets for KeSRTC buses (except for long routes like the ones to Bangalore). So the reservation system would show empty, but buses to TVM/Kottarakkara fill up in less than 15 minutes after they start boarding.

There are a few Palakkad buses leaving from Gandhipuram in the morning - they might be of help to you. And, after the 0645 TVM bus, the next KeSRTC bus from Gandhipuram is only at 0750 (Palakkad FP) and then at 0800 (Kottarakkara SFP). There should be one KaSRTC Rajahamsa around 7~7.15, which goes to Palakkad.

Since its a weekend, that too one preceeding X-Mas, I'd suggest you to book tickets in advance. The 0645 TVM bus is cutting too close - I am not sure if you can make it comfortably.

Originally Posted by silversteed

Because of the inter-state dispute going on, there could be delays at the border. Keep following the news for updates, and plan accordingly.

As of today, the KeSRTC buses are being run as convoys between Walayar and Ukkadam/Gandhipuram. The buses would wait at the border until 5 or more buses get together, and then proceed as a convoy with police escort! I am not sure how are things in the opposite direction.

I should be going to Coimbatore this weekend - so would report how things are in reality after the visit.

[a4anurag]

Just have a doubt guys.

Are there any morning buses to Bangalore from Hyderabad?

I have tried searching online for buses but all operators are have the first bus from Hyderabad to Bangalore at 4:45pm.

Any idea guys?

[binaiks]

Originally Posted by a4anurag

Just have a doubt guys.

Are there any morning buses to Bangalore from Hyderabad?

I have tried searching online for buses but all operators are have the first bus from Hyderabad to Bangalore at 4:45pm.

Any idea guys?

KaSRTC used to have a day-time service for some time - I don't think that service runs anymore. Its a good 10~12 hour route, I wonder if any operator would be interested in a day service.

[silversteed]

Originally Posted by foby.sebastian

camper Bus , Think it belongs to the retreat centre in attapadi not sure though !

The registration data says it's an LPT1613, and it's a Goods Carrier... Wonder how the ride would be, with the conventional leaf-set suspension!

Weird front - a halfhearted attempt at mixing Tata Prima and the AL ULE components