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Experience comfort on wheels

With the introduction of sleeper coaches, the bus journey to Bangalore has become enjoyable, writes DEEPA H. RAMAKRISHNAN

PHOTO: T. SINGARAVELOU

COMFORT ON WHEELS The newly introduced sleeper coach on the Pondicherry-Bangalore route

For those of us who need a flat surface to sleep, bus travel isn't just the right option, especially if you are travelling at night. As the bus gobbles up the miles, the wind blows in your face and gets into your hair (it gets tangled badly); you huddle up against your co-passenger, who gives you a nasty look as you fall on his shoulder and finally, in the morning, you wake up with a stiff neck and puffy eyes.

If that's how one has to travel by bus, I would rather not. But then here is something that would definitely make you feel like travelling often. Air-conditioned airbuses (we aren't talking about the Boeing variety) that seem to float on tarred roads with comfortable berths for people to stretch out in the night are here.

During the past few months, travelling to Bangalore by sleeper coaches hasn't been a `pain in the neck' to many Pondicherrians. These buses cover 330 km by road overnight and most passengers find the journey comfortable. At present, there are five operators including Sharma, Jayanthi, KPN, Parveen and the Pondicherry Road Transport Corporation (PRTC) plying buses to Bangalore.

"I travel quite often to Bangalore and I prefer to go by bus. I don't like to drive a car in the night and we don't have a train to Bangalore, so this is the next best option. At least you can stretch out for a couple of hours. The coaches are good but the condition of the roads leaves much to be desired," says Ajay Virmani, a businessman. "Most youngsters travelling from Pondicherry work in call centres and prefer these sleeper coaches. On weekends, even if you operate 10 bus services to Bangalore they fill up quickly because tourists come in large numbers," says Jayavenkatesan, manager, Parveen Travels.

Parveen does not run its own buses in Pondicherry but has a tie up with Shama and Indra Travels. "We help arrange sight seeing trips for tourists and provide Pondicherry maps to those who want to go around on their own," he adds.

"I found the service comfortable because I could sleep well. But the only problem was the music played by the driver in the middle of the night," says Seema from Bangalore. First time travellers, Aruna and her husband Hariharan from Gujarat were happy with the sleeper coach service from Pondicherry.

Some operators have sleeper and semi-sleeper services. Sharma Transport, for instance, has both. "The sleeper coach has semi-sleeper seats in the centre of the bus. On Sundays, passengers cannot just walk in and get seats. They have to book a week in advance," says manager Raman. However, Sharma Transport does not have air conditioned buses because most passengers don't want it. "The climate is cool after we cross Thiruvannamalai and they say there is no need for air conditioning."

KPN Travels, which has semi-sleeper facility with 31 seats, is getting its full sleeper coach ready. "We will have it ready by August. We have single seats, which are preferred by women travelling alone," says manager Murali.

One of the oldest local transport operators, Sri Jayanthi Travels has a pushback service to Bangalore, which was started four years ago. "After the diesel price hike we have had to increase the fare," says its manager. The service runs from Thirunallar in Karaikal to Bangalore via Pondicherry.

And coming to the State-owned PRTC, many seem to prefer this service. "I prefer single seaters. I feel uncomfortable sleeping on the berths in sleeper coaches as they are small. I don't like to lie down throughout the journey, sometimes if I want to sit up I cannot. PRTC's rates are reasonable and the journey is comfortable. They have the best bus, a Volvo. And what's more the driver has a seat belt for safety. It would be good if passengers are also provided with seat belts," feels Srinath Balachandran.

"Ours is the cheapest yet best service. For just Rs. 250 per ticket we provide semi-sleeper seats with air conditioning. Ours is a stage carriage with luggage facility. We have 24-hour reservation at the bus stand and our service is always full though it is the last to leave Pondicherry at 11 p.m.," says PRTC Managing Director G. Paneerselvam. "We have also introduced two services to Mahe with pushback seats," he adds.

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