Bus or Car-What do you prefer for your journeys?

wildsdi5530 · 19th January 2010, 14:13

A brief background-
My wife's place is down South-Eruvadi b/w Nagerkoil and Tirunelveli. My hometown is Bangalore. And I work at Coimbatore. Hence I frequently shuttle by car.
An average trip from Eruvadi to Bangalore takes about 7-10 hours depending on the traffic, weather and my mood. I start at whatever time my work gets over. Lunch/ dinner is usually at Meenakshi Bhavan in Thirumangalam. Great non-veg food. Arrive fresh at home and ready for a full day's work.
Yesterday, I took a bus from Tirunelveli to Bangalore (SETC) as my wife needed the car. I had a reservation in an ultra deluxe bus at 1800. Thus I had to start from Eruvadi at 1600. At 1500, I was consulted for 2 minor surgeries which I had to postpone to when I return. First bus at 1600. Typical village bus. Stopping for every village and messy. Took 2 hours for the 40 Km.
Tirunelveli bus terminus- 1800 bus has not arrived. Whiled away time till it finally came at 1830. Passenger loading and ticket checking takes 1 hour. The conductor sold tickets in black and loaded the people in the aisle and the cabin. The bus finally started at 1930. I dozed off for a while. When I woke up, I saw a fully loaded lorry overtake us with ease. I checked the speed and we were averaging 36 Kph (I've done average of 120+ on the same stretch). At 2100 the bus stops for dinner at Vasantha Bhavan. I get down to check the fare and almost puked. The vadas were dripping smelly oil. And the only thing available was veg kushka which tasted like leftover dog-food. The coffee was like ditch water. Atleast the open air urinal was ok.
Next leg- woke up at Salem at about 0200. 2 hours late. Learnt that the SETC bus does not have a permit to enter Karnataka and that we'd have to change bus at Hosur. Hosur comes by at 0630. Massive traffic jam. Am transferred to another Ultra deluxe bus as standing passenger. Late for my appointment at MSRMH. Shanthinagar finally sees me at 0900, tired and worn-out. Next is the trip at majestic. Then to home(Dad's gone to work, so cannot pick my up).
I hope never to travel by bus again. Will try train next time.

sgiitk · 19th January 2010, 14:21

Car anytime, unless the road is really bad then let it damage a vehicle other than my own. Even here may prefer to hire a taxi!

Surprise · 19th January 2010, 14:44

Is that your first experience of traveling long distance in a public transport? Reputed travels run their buses exactly on time (mostly). Anyhow travel in trains offers wonderful experience & the main advantage is that you can relax in many ways when boredom strikes

. If its just one place of visit with no further travels to nearby places, i would prefer public transport though only TRAINS.

HOLIDAYS are definitely on cars.

clevermax · 19th January 2010, 15:07

I hate long distance journeys in Bus especially during night. That's the time you'll miss the bed at home the most.

RP_812 · 19th January 2010, 15:35

This is like a trick question..

Not sure if anyone would ever select 'bus' as an option that too on T-BHP which is like holied ground for cars.

Maybe if this option is given on the SETC/KSRTC/SHARMA TRAVELS/etc , bus sites , it might fair better than here.

FYi.
Selected CAR...

Daewood · 19th January 2010, 17:38

If it is a routine business/ work trip nothing like travelling by train or bus(not the state owned buses). It helps you to relax and plan your work for the next day even if it takes a little more time.
But when it is a vacation, it has to be car provided the distance is not too much.

Ranjan Sharma · 19th January 2010, 18:10

Have travelled by VRL, and experience was comfortable and good so far. So I prefer the journey by Bus when I am travelling alone. If I have company I would prefer my car.

@Wildsdi - Please give it a try again in Sharma travels or VRL. I am sure it will be a nice experience, they are quite punctual and neat. Travelling by car ALONE is not a good Idea, there are too many dangers on road which can not be handled alone, be it night or day!

mail4loys · 19th January 2010, 18:29

Iam a regular user of SETC between Chennai & Hosur and found it more comfortable than private buses, interms of leg space that you get.

*As indicated by you the road side hotels that they stop are nothing much to talk.
* Travel time from Chennai to Hosur is 7 Hrs.

So If i'm out of cash and lot of time i prefer Buses, else car. So i'm voting for Car

jigbarai · 19th January 2010, 18:40

Long journeys in India = Indian Railways.
Nothing else beats the convenience, comfort, economy and safety here.

SamtheLeo · 19th January 2010, 18:59

No matter how long from delhi, My first choice is my workhorse Scoprio. Nothing beats it on highway & the comfort of stopping anywhere, going anytime makes it all the more exciting.

Mi10 · 19th January 2010, 19:22

No Prizes for guessing - Its Obviously the Car

Had it been Car or Train, i would have thought about it

cLJ · 19th January 2010, 19:46

I prefer train journey than public buses for long journey. Some people can't sit continuously for long. If you are travelling in a train in a reserved compartment, you will never get bored.

anachronix · 19th January 2010, 19:57

Most preferred would be the car. I have driven all the way from Chennai to Kerala all by myself

. A good long 12 hour drive every petrol head would dream of...

Bus, yes when I have no option left to use the car!

I hate train journey and I am usually forced to commute by train by my better half during my Kerala visits

gajadonga · 19th January 2010, 20:05

When you are used to travel by car bus journey is always troublesome even solo driving is ok.The buses do not start on time and always we try to compare our driving timings to the bus timings and it is always not acceptable.

Wanderer78 · 19th January 2010, 20:06

Car definately in this case. If the option would have included train, then for long distances (900 + kms) I would have been in 2 minds. But Car or Bus - Definately car.

View Poll Results: How would you prefer to travel?
Car	87	89.69%
Bus	10	10.31%
Voters: 97. You may not vote on this poll

19th January 2010, 14:13	#1
wildsdi5530 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,465 Thanked: 2,098 Times	Bus or Car-What do you prefer for your journeys? A brief background- My wife's place is down South-Eruvadi b/w Nagerkoil and Tirunelveli. My hometown is Bangalore. And I work at Coimbatore. Hence I frequently shuttle by car. An average trip from Eruvadi to Bangalore takes about 7-10 hours depending on the traffic, weather and my mood. I start at whatever time my work gets over. Lunch/ dinner is usually at Meenakshi Bhavan in Thirumangalam. Great non-veg food. Arrive fresh at home and ready for a full day's work. Yesterday, I took a bus from Tirunelveli to Bangalore (SETC) as my wife needed the car. I had a reservation in an ultra deluxe bus at 1800. Thus I had to start from Eruvadi at 1600. At 1500, I was consulted for 2 minor surgeries which I had to postpone to when I return. First bus at 1600. Typical village bus. Stopping for every village and messy. Took 2 hours for the 40 Km. Tirunelveli bus terminus- 1800 bus has not arrived. Whiled away time till it finally came at 1830. Passenger loading and ticket checking takes 1 hour. The conductor sold tickets in black and loaded the people in the aisle and the cabin. The bus finally started at 1930. I dozed off for a while. When I woke up, I saw a fully loaded lorry overtake us with ease. I checked the speed and we were averaging 36 Kph (I've done average of 120+ on the same stretch). At 2100 the bus stops for dinner at Vasantha Bhavan. I get down to check the fare and almost puked. The vadas were dripping smelly oil. And the only thing available was veg kushka which tasted like leftover dog-food. The coffee was like ditch water. Atleast the open air urinal was ok. Next leg- woke up at Salem at about 0200. 2 hours late. Learnt that the SETC bus does not have a permit to enter Karnataka and that we'd have to change bus at Hosur. Hosur comes by at 0630. Massive traffic jam. Am transferred to another Ultra deluxe bus as standing passenger. Late for my appointment at MSRMH. Shanthinagar finally sees me at 0900, tired and worn-out. Next is the trip at majestic. Then to home(Dad's gone to work, so cannot pick my up). I hope never to travel by bus again. Will try train next time.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 14:21	#2
sgiitk Senior - BHPian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Gurugram Posts: 7,971 Thanked: 4,809 Times	Car anytime, unless the road is really bad then let it damage a vehicle other than my own. Even here may prefer to hire a taxi!
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 14:44	#3
Surprise Senior - BHPian Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chennai Posts: 2,529 Thanked: 463 Times	Is that your first experience of traveling long distance in a public transport? Reputed travels run their buses exactly on time (mostly). Anyhow travel in trains offers wonderful experience & the main advantage is that you can relax in many ways when boredom strikes . If its just one place of visit with no further travels to nearby places, i would prefer public transport though only TRAINS. HOLIDAYS are definitely on cars.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 15:07	#4
clevermax Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tvm/Amsterdam Posts: 2,112 Thanked: 2,899 Times View My Garage	I hate long distance journeys in Bus especially during night. That's the time you'll miss the bed at home the most.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 15:35	#5
RP_812 BHPian Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 128 Thanked: 2 Times	This is like a trick question.. Not sure if anyone would ever select 'bus' as an option that too on T-BHP which is like holied ground for cars. Maybe if this option is given on the SETC/KSRTC/SHARMA TRAVELS/etc , bus sites , it might fair better than here. FYi. Selected CAR...
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 17:38	#6
Daewood BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 942 Thanked: 235 Times	If it is a routine business/ work trip nothing like travelling by train or bus(not the state owned buses). It helps you to relax and plan your work for the next day even if it takes a little more time. But when it is a vacation, it has to be car provided the distance is not too much.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 18:10	#7
Ranjan Sharma BANNED Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Benga'loo'ru Posts: 290 Thanked: 2 Times View My Garage	Have travelled by VRL, and experience was comfortable and good so far. So I prefer the journey by Bus when I am travelling alone. If I have company I would prefer my car. @Wildsdi - Please give it a try again in Sharma travels or VRL. I am sure it will be a nice experience, they are quite punctual and neat. Travelling by car ALONE is not a good Idea, there are too many dangers on road which can not be handled alone, be it night or day!
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 18:29	#8
mail4loys BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 378 Thanked: 8 Times View My Garage	Iam a regular user of SETC between Chennai & Hosur and found it more comfortable than private buses, interms of leg space that you get. As indicated by you the road side hotels that they stop are nothing much to talk. Travel time from Chennai to Hosur is 7 Hrs. So If i'm out of cash and lot of time i prefer Buses, else car. So i'm voting for Car
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 18:40	#9
jigbarai BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 560 Thanked: 39 Times	Long journeys in India = Indian Railways. Nothing else beats the convenience, comfort, economy and safety here.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 18:59	#10
SamtheLeo BHPian Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Melbourne Posts: 451 Thanked: 26 Times	No matter how long from delhi, My first choice is my workhorse Scoprio. Nothing beats it on highway & the comfort of stopping anywhere, going anytime makes it all the more exciting.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 19:22	#11
Mi10 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,172 Thanked: 3,299 Times View My Garage	No Prizes for guessing - Its Obviously the Car Had it been Car or Train, i would have thought about it
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 19:46	#12
cLJ BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Thrissur Posts: 109 Thanked: 3 Times	I prefer train journey than public buses for long journey. Some people can't sit continuously for long. If you are travelling in a train in a reserved compartment, you will never get bored.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 19:57	#13
anachronix Senior - BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Madras Posts: 3,286 Thanked: 1,337 Times View My Garage	Most preferred would be the car. I have driven all the way from Chennai to Kerala all by myself . A good long 12 hour drive every petrol head would dream of... Bus, yes when I have no option left to use the car! I hate train journey and I am usually forced to commute by train by my better half during my Kerala visits
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 20:05	#14
gajadonga Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Hyderabad Posts: 1,068 Thanked: 499 Times	When you are used to travel by car bus journey is always troublesome even solo driving is ok.The buses do not start on time and always we try to compare our driving timings to the bus timings and it is always not acceptable.
	() Thanks

19th January 2010, 20:06	#15
Wanderer78 BHPian Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 98 Thanked: 48 Times View My Garage	Car definately in this case. If the option would have included train, then for long distances (900 + kms) I would have been in 2 minds. But Car or Bus - Definately car.
	() Thanks