Kiran Naik

October, November is a season to celebrate… filled with Holidays, Festivals, shopping, travel, gifts. On eve of Dasara I visited Hubli on short notice. I booked VRL travels since no tickets in KSRTC, IRCTC. Mimimum 2 months booking before travel for IRCTC and 3 weeks for KSRTC during festival season.
With no other choice, I booked VRL and on time in VRL Travels in Anand Rao Circle. I must tell you that its surprising to see the VRL Bus Stand near majestic Bangalore. You may be wondering whats the big deal…Yes.. its a big deal. They have all the facilities what KSRTC Bus Stand offers..except KSRTC has huge land to manage. An Inquiry Office, Seating Arrangement, Fresh rooms, nicely managed departure dashboard. I am stunned and happy to see the VRL Bus Stand.

There are many arguments regarding the price comparison that KSRTC is cheaper.. in some ways service, travel comfort plays major role than price. Of course Price is important if you planned your travel. If you are not planned, you are paying price for that..

One of the service offered is VRL sends you SMS indicating your bus number. Thats great way to avoid hassle in queue, looking for person, inquiring and requesting the staff like they are doing favor on us by informing bus number.

KSRTC provides water bottle in Airavat but VRL badly lacks it. I guess this is due to VRL’s revenue model to provide other services and make people to pay for their own brand of water bottles… some (Innovative???? may be not) ways of forcing people to pay the money..

Having said, I am big fan of KSRTC and will always like to travel in KSRTC Bus rather than private.. if KSRTC can follow good service strategy from private firms like VRL, SRS – I am sure people will be much benefited. Hope to see these kind of better services introduced in KSRTC.