Bus travel in trivandrum

One beautiful thing i found in kerala were its KSRTC buses. I know this sounds contradictory to the definition of beauty as the red and yellow buses in no way sound in accordance to any work of art, any famous poem etc. But seriously, at least in Trivandrum the bus service really rocks. I happen to live near medical college. One of the main bus stands of Trivandrum and its really very easy and comfy to travel in these buses. The maximum ticket is of Rs. 6.50/-. (YA they still use 50 paise in kerela.), which is quite cheap and affordable for a poor scientist like me (:P).

I think I am drifting away from the topic. This blog is not about “HOW COMFY AND CHEAP these bus journeys are ??”..i know there is a factual side of me..m a scientist after all(pffff..)……rather its more about how beautiful it is to travel in it. I use the word beautiful to emphasize on the artistic aspect of it. Trivandrum is blessed with a "NO POLLUTION" environment. So much rain causes so much greenery. There is virtually no dust in Trivandrum. So traveling in these buses is not like traveling in DELHI-ROHINI JAT SPECIAL buses. It is much more quiet and non-painful.

Little about the buses: They are very normal looking down to earth buses. They believe in the service they can impart to mankind instead of concentrating on looks. Color as already mentioned is red and yellow(refer pic). Normally it’s a 2 pair of seats in one row. One to the right and other to left. The configurations vary differently with different buses. The most special feature I found was the absence of window panes. There are shutters which remain folded till the time of monsoons. I haven’t experienced one in kerela right now but according to sources it HELL rains here in Trivandrum. So it may be the time when these guardians come to play. Else there are no window panes or window grills (I think I should call it window grill only) . Literally speaking windows are so big that u can actually jump out of it whenever you wish to.(I don’t know why you actually will but just in case…..) This absence allows a very calm, cold, soothing breeze right on your face. And it really is relishing experience while traveling in night.

The other peculiar feature is a mechanical bell (like one used in govt offices, hospitals to signal next) used by diver and conductor to communicate. It’s a very simple concept. One long string runs from front to back end of the bus. A bell remains attached to it. The bell is positioned near the driver. When conductor needs to stop the bus he just has to tap the bell once(like TING!!!) and the driver stops, and a two taps (TING TING!!) signals a go. So simple and a good use of a basic machine. There in Delhi conductors shout and bang the bus like hell to bring the same effect. Here its a simple ting-ting. :)

This is something you would love about kerela, people don’t shout as they do there in Delhi. A bus journey in Delhi is a nightmare, with loads of people shouting and hell pollution. I admit one might spot some pretty nice chicks to look at there in Delhi, which obviously is absent in Trivandrum. But hey come on….Its not always about that only???

All in all if you ever come to kerela, do travel in these. You can always take one from east fort to kovalam beach. One good thing is that they will give you a printed bill on which the amount to be paid would be written. See that and pay(never expect your 50 paise back). Its better than autos which will surely loot you since you wont know Malayalam.

Some general tips, tricks, and points to be taken care of…….

Ask at least five people where the bus goes before getting into the bus …it will be best is to ask the conductor. In Malayalam you may ask like this…..

”CHETA! Ei Bus Medical college Pogumu”….(cheta-brother Ei-this Bus-bus MEDICAL COLLEGE- the destination you have to go Pogumu-Will go??)

Possible answers……”Pogumu…or adde”(will go/ yes)…..”pogilla or illlaa”(wont go/ no)

WARNING OR CAUTION!!!

Remember EVIDENTLY Malyalis don’t know how to sway their heads(or are more advanced in this feild) while saying yes OR no. They will Sway it in all POSSIBLE DIRECTIONS ..so according to North Indian standards ….YOU CANNOT MAKE OUT A YES OR NO….BY THEIR HEAD SHAKES………..BETTER ASK MANY BEFORE BOARDING!!!

HAPPY TRAVELING :)