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Traveling by buses forms the most common mode of transportation in India. All cities are interconnected through a huge bus network generally run by state owned corporations. In general, the bus service is available between larger cities at short intervals and are very cheap when compared with other countries.
Nearly all cities and towns have their own ‘bus stand’ (a common term used for bus station, where all buses congregate to move further to their destinations). The buses are the preferred vehicle of choice for the common man. They are quick, travel over large distances and are very light on the pocket. You can very well calculate, a 5-hr journey for around 250 kms will cost you only around $4.
A bus ride in India can be bumpy, full of people, uncomfortable and yet provide you in touch with the common man.
At IdiscoverIndia.com we would advise you to travel only during the day, especially if you are a lone woman traveler. Otherwise they are generally safe, but a tourist just attracts attention and not for any other reason but the fact that a common man in India has not interacted much with a foreigner, hence they are more in awe than trying to fleece someone or dupe them. That been said, you still need to be careful of your belongings or thieves if you are riding in an ‘Ordinary Bus.
Generally speaking there are three kinds of bus services that are commonly available for commuting between cities or towns.
The first is what we call an “Ordinary Bus Service”. This is the cheapest of the lot (we mean real real cheap). It makes stops in between the destinations and there can be people standing in the bus, even if there is no seating available.
At some places, this will be your only mode of transportation, especially for short distances or in some interior regions or less frequented places.
If you have none of the above reasons to travel by ‘Ordinary Bus’ then we recommend you step up and go for the “Deluxe Bus Service”.
“Deluxe Bus Service” is nearly 50% or sometimes even more expensive than ‘Ordinary Bus Service’. However it is worth its price in gold (comparatively speaking). Also the price is not much when converted into US Dollars.
‘Deluxe’ Buses always carry a fixed number of passengers, which is not greater than the number of seats available. The seats are comfortable; there is a luggage space at the back of the bus, which is locked by the bus driver before it leaves. Generally there is a nominal charge to keep your luggage into bus storage or for that matter when it’s taken out. The charge is very nominal, not more than $0.25 per piece.
‘Deluxe Buses’ sometimes also have a TV with video player, which generally shows an Indian Movie during the journey. This practice seems to have reduced or nearly eliminated (barring some private operators), much to the delight of the night travelers who want to catch on some sleep and not want to be disturbed by the loud noise.
The crowd in ‘Deluxe Buses” is mainly middle class and could very well be conversant in English, to say the least.
Deluxe buses are generally on time and only seldom you would need a booking in advance (we would suggest just getting at the bus stand half hour in advance).
Deluxe buses are safe and recommended for short or over night travel. Although not as comfortable as train where you can stretch your legs, they still form a good alternative in times of non-availability of train or hurry.
These days some state owned corporations and private operators have also started with a bus service named “VOLVO” Bus Service, mainly due to the make of these buses (2x2 buses manufactured by Volvo).
These are termed as “luxury buses’ and are air conditioned. They are priced more than the deluxe buses but are very comfortable.
The only hitch with ‘Volvo’ is that they may or may-not be available from the general bus-stand. Moreover they are not as readily available as ‘ordinary’ or ‘Deluxe’ buses and do not run on an extensive destination network. It is advisable to ask your hotel or tour operator about where to get these “Volvo” buses in the city from.
Lastly it is always advisable to call and find about the bus service in the local town or ask your host/hotel. It always helps to ask someone, people are always willing to help in India. |
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