Avoid KPN
KPN Travels used to be a good private bus service to travel between Bangalore and Kerala till sometime back. But a recent experience with them shattered all the good impression.
Here's what happened:
I was travelling from Bangalore to Kerala in Feb-08. I had booked KPN bcoz their buses used to be good and would leave and reach on time. But the bus started 45 minutes late. There was no video in the bus, which surprised me.
I got the answer when we reached Salem at around 10:30 PM and we were asked to change to a different bus. No explanations given by KPN on why this change, even when some ppl asked. This new bus had video. After wasting another 45 minutes at Salem (stopping at some pickup points, where there were no pickups !), the bus started its onward journey. But at around 2 AM, the bus stopped in the middle of some jungle-like area - 80 kms before reaching Pallakad. The probem was that the inside of the bus had become very hot (in an AC Volvo bus !!!). When the drivers checked out, they found hot gas and smoke coming out of the engine at the rear. And they had no clue what to do. The cleaner checked engine oil (while the engine was still hot !!! one should never do that) - didnt find a problem there. Then he poured cold water and tried to cool off the whole assembly - again some ppl said we should not be doing that. But all said and done, it was a hopeless situation.
The drivers did not have mobiles. They borrowed mobiles from passengers and called up Salem few times and finally, a bus came that spot at 5:30 AM. Most passengers were out in the open for 3 and a half hours bcoz of this. Inside, the seats were full of bed-bugs and the bus was filled with mosquitos.
Reached Kollam at 1:30 PM, instead of at 7:30 AM. The bed-bugs and the bus changes clearly show a badly maintained fleet. Will not prefer KPN from now on.
Here's what happened:
I was travelling from Bangalore to Kerala in Feb-08. I had booked KPN bcoz their buses used to be good and would leave and reach on time. But the bus started 45 minutes late. There was no video in the bus, which surprised me.
I got the answer when we reached Salem at around 10:30 PM and we were asked to change to a different bus. No explanations given by KPN on why this change, even when some ppl asked. This new bus had video. After wasting another 45 minutes at Salem (stopping at some pickup points, where there were no pickups !), the bus started its onward journey. But at around 2 AM, the bus stopped in the middle of some jungle-like area - 80 kms before reaching Pallakad. The probem was that the inside of the bus had become very hot (in an AC Volvo bus !!!). When the drivers checked out, they found hot gas and smoke coming out of the engine at the rear. And they had no clue what to do. The cleaner checked engine oil (while the engine was still hot !!! one should never do that) - didnt find a problem there. Then he poured cold water and tried to cool off the whole assembly - again some ppl said we should not be doing that. But all said and done, it was a hopeless situation.
The drivers did not have mobiles. They borrowed mobiles from passengers and called up Salem few times and finally, a bus came that spot at 5:30 AM. Most passengers were out in the open for 3 and a half hours bcoz of this. Inside, the seats were full of bed-bugs and the bus was filled with mosquitos.
Reached Kollam at 1:30 PM, instead of at 7:30 AM. The bed-bugs and the bus changes clearly show a badly maintained fleet. Will not prefer KPN from now on.
Comments
The AC didnt function right from the beginning of the journey, other problems followed one by one; finally the bus gave up completely and broke down mid way at mid night in a jungle like place.. Fortunately, one of the passengers had managed to call up some friends and arrange for a Qualis and some of us travelled to bangalore in it. We did get the entire ticket fare refunded but swore to never take their service from then.
This incident happened with me in May 2007. So, they are still doing business with so badly maintained buses. Please travel in KPN at your own risk.
We poor public..doesn't have any other option this SELEM rular KPN making our life hell....by making money from us...we also don't have any other option. Live with it... When one "Anniyan" will come out of us....Expecting day to come. More over....Koyembedu Private bus terminus is also getting spoiled day by day....will Govn. will look into it.....