Buses,
cycle-rickshaws, auto-rickshaws, taxis, boats and urban trains provide great
transport around the Indian cities. Buses are a pretty cheap mode of transport
to get around India, even though most travellers prefer trains for
long-distance journeys. Services are comparatively fast and frequent, and buses
are the only way to get around many mountainous areas. However, the roads are
perilous and the buses are driven with wilful abandon and accidents are always
a risk. Try avoiding night buses unless there is no alternative – drivers tend
use the quieter roads as an excuse to take even more death-defying risks. All
buses make regular refreshment stops, providing a break from the hustle and shake
although adding hours to journey times. Buses run by the state government bus
companies are usually the safest and most reliable , and seats can be booked up
to a month in advance or one might even opt for online bus ticket booking.
Private buses tend to be cheaper but drivers can be notorious speed-demons and
conductors cram as many passengers on as possible to maximise profits. Earplugs
are a boon on all long-distance buses to muffle the deafening music. On any
bus, sit between the axles to minimise the effect of bumps and potholes.
Luggage is either stored in compartments
underneath the bus (sometimes for a small fee) or it can be carried free of charge
on the roof. Conductors might carry your bags up for a modest tip, or you could
even scramble up yourself and be assured that your luggage is secure. Roof
riding on public buses used to be a thrilling way to see the Indian countryside
but the authorities have decided that it is dangerous, and too much fun.
Roof-riding is now only possible only on local buses between outlying villages.
If your bags go on the roof, make sure they
are locked and securely tied to the metal baggage rack – or you might succumb
to your belongings bouncing off the roof on bumpy roads! Thefts are a minor
risk so keep an eye on your bags at snack and toilet stops and never leave your
day-pack unattended inside the bus. Deluxe buses can usually be booked in
ad-vance – up to a month in advance for government buses – at the bus stand or
local travel agents. Reservations are rarely possible on ‘ordinary’ buses and
travellers often get left behind in the mad rush for a seat. To maximise your
chances of securing a seat, either send a travelling companion ahead to grab
some space or pass a book or article of clothing through an open window and
place it on an empty seat. This ‘reservation’ method rarely fails. If you board
a bus mid-way through its journey, you will have to stand until a seat becomes
free.
At many bus stations there is a separate
women’s queue, although this isn’t always obvious as signs are often in Hindi
and men frequently join the melee. Women have an unspoken right to push to the
front of any queue in India. This includes female travellers so be ready to
sharpen your elbows and barge through the crowds. Although online bus ticket
booking would always be the easiest option while you keep up with the times.
Share jeeps also complement the bus service
in many mountain areas and are of great convenience when you are travelling in
the remote areas where buses usually don’t tread.
Train travel is one of the joys of India.
With its extensive network and prices are reasonable the experience of
travelling on an Indian train is a reason to travel all by itself. The process of booking a seat can be a bit bewildering,
but behind the scenes things are incredibly well organised so you won’t have to
worry. Trains are far better than buses when it comes to long-distance and
overnight trips. Some cities also have suburban train network that tend to get
crowded during peak hours. Trains are frequently overbooked, but many
passengers cancel at the end moment. So you could always buy a ticket on the
‘wait list’ and try your luck. A refund is available if you don’t get a seat –
all you have to do is ask the ticket office about your chances. Refund is
available on every ticket, even after departure, with a penalty – the rules are
complicated so one should enquire when you book. The reservation procedure is
fairly simple – obtain a reservation slip from the information window and fill
in the starting station, the destination station, the class you want to travel
in and the name and number of the train (this is where Trains at a Glance comes
into its own). You then join the long queue to the ticket window, where your
ticket will be printed.
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