I hadn’t ever travelled by bus before this, so the experience of a 15-18 hour bus journey was brand new to me.
BHPian akash_v12 recently shared this with other enthusiasts:
I’ve travelled by KSRTC’s Ambaari Dream Class from Bengaluru to Mumbai & Pune around 5 times, so I’ll be penning my thoughts on these services. Keep in mind, the Mumbai rotations are operated by F4181/F4156 (I mainly get 4181, although I ended up getting F4144 last time, which operates the night service to Ernakulam usually), whilst the Pune rotations are operated by F4126/F4090. All of these buses are Volvo B11Rs, with the body of the MG Starz. Here is my take on the services.
After I moved to BLR for college, getting home always meant booking a flight early (especially during the festive season) or waiting till the very last moment to get cheap tickets. After becoming unlucky a couple of times, I’ll take the Ambaari Dream Class service home as it suits my college timings and is relatively inexpensive (ESPECIALLY in the festive season). The delay is not something other than something that can be controlled by the crew, given the eternally long roadworks on the Maharashtra side. Still, they tend to keep it to a minimum, and I get down at Belapur by around 10:30.
I hadn’t ever travelled by bus before this, so the experience of a 15-18 hour bus journey was brand new to me. KSRTC’s 4PM Departure for the Mumbai-bound bus makes it easy to get out of the city by 5PM at the maximum. This service, too, has started halting at Shree Rathnam Restaurant, Billanakote, for its tea break around 5:30-5:45PM instead of Karajeevanahalli Toll Plaza a bit later. This was a much-needed move since the washrooms at the restaurant are much cleaner than they were at the toll. However, they have changed the dinner break to some restaurant in Davangare. While the food is decent, the washroom needs a significant upgrade.
The drivers display no hurry or rash driving whatsoever, which is a critical factor in my choosing KSRTC over every operator. They are always courteous and will even converse nicely if they are not too busy. I prefer taking a lower single seat (as I usually travel alone). Avoid taking Seat No. 13 since the stickers cover the window.
I’m around 5ft10in, and I can lay down perfectly fine. The bed is on the narrower side, but I don’t mind. KSRTC does provide freshly laundered blankets on every trip from Bengaluru. The only complaint I have with the seat is that it is a bit hard to sit up straight due to the position of the backrest. Otherwise, it should be okay. Plugpoints, reading lights, USB sockets, etc., all work, which is a big plus. Moreover, there is consistent network coverage throughout the route, so one wouldn’t have any problem with any shows.
Attaching some pictures as well.
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