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Indian Bus Travel Usually for long distances (more than six hours) it is better to take a train than a bus. For shorter distances and on certain routes, a bus may be a better choice. This is especially true if you get a luxury or express bus. If the only train available is a narrow gauge passenger train, a bus may be much faster and more comfortable. Buses do not usually have delays, but passenger trains can be delayed for hours. A big advantage of buses over trains is that they run much more frequently and are easy to arrange. In many cases, you can board the bus and pay right there. It is best to get a seat near the front of the bus, as the back is extremely bumpy. If you sit in the back of the bus, be careful not to get knocked out when your head shoots up towards the ceiling when the bus hits a big pothole. One time I was dazed while sitting in the back seat of a minibus. Some people do not like to sit too far to the front of the bus because the buses have really loud horns (well used in India), and you might have a heart attack by seeing how the bus is driven. Many people think the seat of honor is the front seat near the driver, and they may ask you to sit there for your convenience. If you get off the bus to answer the call of nature or to get a drink, keep an eye on the driver at every moment. You have about 5 seconds to get on the bus after the bus driver gets back in. The driver may get off the bus and say you will be stopped for ten minutes. Two minutes later he may jump back in the bus, start the engine, and drive off without caring whether everyone is in the bus. I have had to stop the bus twice for friends who were almost left behind in this way, both times late at night. When I get on a local bus, I ask in a loud voice, “Is the bus going to (wherever I am going)?” In this way, I find out if the bus is actually going where I want to go. Also, when many people know where I am going, someone usually helps me get off at the correct place. It also solves the problem of having to answer the question “Where are you going?” Often it pays to make friends with someone on the bus who can help you. When
it is time to get on a crowded bus, you may have to push and shove your
way on. Be prepared for this. You cannot be too polite. I saw one old
lady literally climbing over another lady, who was so old she had to
struggle up the steps. Buses
usually make regular stops at roadside dhabas (tea or cold drink stalls).
If you are a woman or have diarrhea, a visit to the toilet can be unpleasant,
as it is rare to see even a slightly decent toilet at one of these places. There are semi-luxury buses between the large cities. These are also not so comfortable because they have five seats across instead of four, so the seating is tight. In many cases, however, there is reserved seating. The main problem with these buses is that they may have extremely loud sound systems. If you get an all-night bus, they may blast cinema music all night long. The deluxe buses are the best because they have only four seats across, and the seats recline. A deluxe bus is suggested for long-distance travel. All-night deluxe buses are uncomfortable, but in many cases, this is the easiest and quickest way to get to your destination. Some people prefer to travel by all-night deluxe buses. If you can sleep on a bus, they are not so bad. Deluxe buses are often better than trains for journeys of less than eight hours. It is a good idea to reserve an express bus in advance, if possible. You can do this at the bus terminal (terminus), which is usually called the “bus stand.” Express buses sometimes depart from a different place than the normal buses, so inquire in advance about the place from where your bus will depart. For an overnight deluxe bus journey, you have to reserve your seat in advance. For busy routes, you may have to reserve the bus a few days in advance. There are now regular over-night sleeper buses that operate between Mumbai-Goa (Rs 400), Pune-Goa and Mumbai-Hampi. They are not particular comfortable, but they are much better than sitting up all night. At
many places there are both state bus and private bus services. Usually
the private bus services will have better buses, but if the private
bus has a video, you may consider whether you want to tolerate the unbelievable
noise. There is a good chance they will blast the video at a high volume
for most of the night. This is when ear plugs come in handy. It is a good idea to find someone who is taking the same bus and ask them to help you get on. When they make a run for the bus, follow them. A few extra steps can mean the difference between sitting and standing. Many times there are young boys or porters at the bus station who will help you get on the bus. For five rupees, they will find your bus, help you with your luggage, and get you a seat, which may be difficult for you to do on your own. Many times you can make advanced reservations for deluxe or luxury buses, which can save you the trouble of fighting for a seat. You should always book private buses in advance. When reserving a deluxe bus, always ask what your seat number is. Usually the lower the seat number the more comfortable the ride will be. One time I got on a bus with several other foreigners, who had all been told they had the front seats and we were all told to sit in the back. I have found that if I am standing on a bus, most of the time, someone will help me get the first available seat. Indian people try to help foreigners for the most part. As
local buses are five persons across, if there is someone next to you
it can be very uncomfortable. When I get on a bus I look for a few empty
seats. I sit in one and put my bag on the other. When the bus stops
and people get on, I look out the window and try not to have anyone
get my attention, in order get me to move my bag so they can sit down
next to me. I do this as long as there are plenty of seats left on the
bus. When the bus starts getting full, if I see someone I think won’t
push and shove me too much, I allow them to sit next to me. Be careful about leaving your bag under your seat, even while you are on the bus, as people will steal from your bag, especially if you have a camera or valuables. It is best to put your bag under the seat in front of you, so you can see it at all times. If your bag is on the roof, keep alert that no one takes it off when the bus stops. People may take your bag or cut it if it is locked. Personally, I do not like to put my bag on the roof of the bus. I usually try to get on the bus early and find a place to put my bag, usually at the front of the bus by the bus driver, or under the seat in front of me. I carry a small regular-type backpack that fits under the seat and another schoolbook size backpack. If you know of a informationthat is not correct or if you would like to help update our listings, please e-mail us at:
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