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.

Comments

Unknown said…
Me too had exactly the same experience on the way back from kerala to bangalore in a AC Volvo bus of KPN travels.
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.
March 10, 2008 at 2:50 AM
Nalam virumbi said…
KPN travels became very worst longback. Better go by normal Government bus which is better that KPN and cost also very less. Main problem with Govn., the frequecy of busses are very less b/w cities, thats why all preferred to go by this kind of humbug transport services like KPN (K - Kallan, P-Porruki, N - Notorious) driver and cleaner are very rude in answering the passengers. The solution for this kind private transport is to have several pickup spots for Public transportation on the way like private. I'd very bad experience in KPN with bedbugs, careless treatment of baggage, dusty seats with broken supports, windows will not close properly during winter or rainy season (poor maintanance), most important thing.......Passengers please don't use the Blankets provided by KPN services as most of them are getting allergy (It was not washed properly).....Try avoiding window seats, especially in KPN travels (More bedbugs and insects) are making us scratch our entire body (We need to spend more money f0r treatment).....

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.....
April 10, 2009 at 4:25 AM
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