Trip on Infant Jesus Travels from Chennai to Nagercoil- 2012 dec

Friends, made a trip on Infant Jesus Travels from Chennai to Nagercoil on 22nd December and Return on 25th December, the trip was memorable one due to the fact I was able to get two new friends, Allen Raj and Lakshman

Onward 22-12-12 Perungalthur to Nagercoil, Bus 9.15 Pm CMBT to Nagercoil IJT this is supposed to be the 225 HP CRS engine TN 74 AB 2007 with Alloy wheels.

22nd December is the starting of the Christmas vacation and was searching for tickets, as usual the online reservation was filling fast, IJT don’t have their online booking facility, it is still not operational anyway clicked the request button of the website nothing happened after submitting the personal detail.

Contacted the IJT Nagercoil office and told the requirement, 3 journeys were to be performed, 22nd Chennai to Nagercoil, then Return on 25th and my son and wife will be returning on 28th December.

Chennai and 8 Pm dep from Nagercoil tickets are booked, and for us to board the Bus from perungalathur no need to show the tickets we can board the bus informing the cellphone number Fare 650Rs.

Date of Journey Allen called me asked whether I am boarding at Koyambedu so that we could meet there, but my son’s school exam was there and after that starting to Koyambedu from home will surely take 2 hours to reach, hence told him we are boarding from Perungalathur.

Started from home around 8.30pm expecting the crowd, from the NH45, Chennai Bypass intersection to perungalathur there was heavy traffic jam we slowly inched and reached by 9pm.

The Bus stop looked like Ranganathan street crowd, there were people everywhere and road was full of vehicles. While waiting there, saw around 4 buses of Vivegam, surely 10 buses of KPN, SRM Volvo B7r, Leyland and Multiaxle combination of around 8 buses, not to name the others like SPS, KPT, Kutties, Joy, Krishna, TVLS, Jayavilas, Amarnath,Subethra, Hindustan, Hasan, susee,TMR sleeper, Kallada 2 multi and many others were going. 

Saw 2 NL (690 regn no) registered Shamasardar sleeper buses proceeding towards Chennai.
By 9.25pm the 8.15 pm IJT came and left, the attender told the next bus will arrive in another 15 minutes. Padmapuri blue colour and RMT ozone Sleeper passes by , Snooze bus of Parveen also passed.

Then Jeppiar AC bus came and it was at perungalathur for more than 25 minutes, by 9.30 Bethlehem passed no halt at perungalathur.
All along the traffic was heavy and the buses were constantly honking to get the way.
Allen informed me he has left CMBT, and was not able to see IJT or Bharathi as they must have started from the Petrol pump he told.

By 10 pm IJT arrived at Perungalathur and many of us boarded may be around 10 persons, the Driver and attender were in Uniform, a new feature. Drivers were on White shirt and Blue pants, the cleaner was wearing a Blue stripes shirt and blue pants. The drivers were new to me not seen before and both were of middle aged and lean.

The bus stopped at eraniamman temple and then commenced, due to Christmas the cabin was decorated with star and the entire windshield had the colour lights.

Tickets were checked and we told that tickets were not issued for us, then 1 passenger called the IJT office and gave the phone to the attender, the attender was talking in the phone informing 6 persons are there in the bus without tickets and the other person informed him that they are all booked passengers. Then the attender didn’t ask for any other thing. The movie Yaardi Nee mohini was on.

Road was full of traffic we reached Chengalpet toll plaza by 10.30 pm and just after paying the toll it was stopped by the side for a Bio break, then it started, we were updating our position with allenraj his Padmapuri Multi was behind us by a 15 minutes gap.

By 11.12 we crossed melmaruvthur, I switched on the GPS and tracking the speed it has reached 107 km.
The next 4 toll plazas Tindivanam 11.22pm , Vikravandi 12am and Ulundurpet 12.45 am, THoludur 1.35am were so crowded that in each toll plaza we were to crawl for 15 to 18 minutes to pay and come out.

This bus is a non stop service so no stopping at the hotel, after crossing Ulundurpet toll gate the second driver took his turn, after ulundurpet the traffic was slightly less and the bus was maintaining a top speed of 113km

At ulundurpet toll saw, Universel, Tippu Sultan, Bharathi and KTC multi, this KTC multi is proceeding to which place, it didn’t go via salem it was there in the next Tholudur toll plaza also KL 11 7776. After crossing the toll here Bharathi overtook us.

The bus halted just before padalur toll plaza for a Bio break of NHAI Wash room, it halted for 15 minutes, Driver change happened at 2.16 am here,while there many buses passed us, Susee, Hasan KPT, KPK, Kutties, Ajith, SRM zedone sleeper. KPN buses were maintaining good speed

We crossed padalur toll plaza by 2.30am and from here for some time the bus was having a sedate run may be around 80km, then the next toll plaza at Viralimalai was at 3 am, here SRM white Multi and Standard Big Bus Multi were proceeding towards Chennai.

I slept for sometime from viralimalai to Madurai, the bus entered the city, at 4.45 we were at Thirumangalam here parveen snooze was overtaken, and RMT Allen’s bus overtook us here, Kayathar was reached at 6am and entered Tirunelveli by 6.30 am, one driver got down here started after a 10 minutes halt, Nanguneri was crossed at 7.10 am then afterwards Allen informed me he is getting down at Kavalkinaru and told me he will wait there to wave to me, standing on a Bakery at the LHS, In my bus all Left window seats were occupied and I was sitting on the RHS, as the wind was Chill all the winows were closed, anyway I moved to the LHS and waved to Allen, he didn’t notice me but I noticed him, just after crossing Kavalkinaru 2 passengers sitting on the LHS got down, they didn’t notice the attender shouting as Kavalkinaru after crossing some distance they got down, if they vacated the seats early I would have made Allen to notice me.

At Valliyoor the other IJT CRS bus AB 2070 crossed us, not sure how both buses were in NGL at the same time, even on 25th While leaving I was in the 8 pm bus, at Bus stand 2 nos IJT was Standing, do they have extra buses I thought they owned 3 pairs only. It is unlikely that 9 pm bus was cancelled for 23 and 24 being the rush season.
At valliyoor we overtook one SETC UD 794 Chennai to Thiruvanthapuram 18:30 dep sticker was pasted on the front, so we have overtook the 18:30 dep with a 21:15 departure
Reached Nagercoil at 8 pm the website shows the arrival as 7am but due to the traffic we were late but surely they can still saved 30 minutes but they didn’t race, in my view the 6:15 pm departure bus is faster even with the 30 minutes dinner break it reaches in 10 hours (from PRGL to NGL) this bus with no dinner break and CRS engine also took the same 10 hours, the drivers didn’t rip, the engine was never found revving it was a constant humming sound, it appears that the engine can still race a 30KMph more.
Minimal use of horns, the video was switched off immediately after the movie got over, the volume level of the movie was bit high, this bus had the big subwoofer setup at the last row. While nearing samayapuram we were overtaking from left a SRM sleeper (going on the right lane) and on the left lane a SETC bus which was moving, stopped suddenly and we have to slam the brakes harder, our bus has crossed the SRM sleeper midway and the SRM driver was honking fearing our bus will occupy his lane as my window was parallel to the SRM bus driver cabin I watched his reaction honking and looking at our bus whether it will come to his side or not, luckily our bus didn’t change lane and stopped with a hard braking effect of retarder brakes

During the trip a total of 73 sms was exchanged between me and Allen for updating our position.

MRP bus was standing at a petrol pump, Rathimeena Ozone sleeper 8 pm departure was also entering the bus stand the RMT multi 2+1was leaving to Thiruvananthapuram.

Return was by 8pm IJT Nagercoil to Chennai TN 74 AC 7002, I was walking towards the bus stand received a call by 7.35pm from IJT, informed them I am on the way reached the bus 7.40pm the agent called my name and confirmed while nearing the bus, and asked me to board the bus. PAdmapuri Multi Rathimeena white sleeper and Chendur were all waiting at the Bus stand. Saw both TN 74 AB 2070 and TN 74 AB 2007 IJT standing at the Nagercoil bus stand, not sure how the pairing bus was also at the same point. 

By 7.50pm the bus started, the driver I think I have seen him in an earlier trip, messaged Lakshman and he told me he will come and wait at Tirunelveli to meet me ( his bus was SRM multi 10.30 pm dep) we reached tirunelveli by 9 .10 pm, he was there waiting shook hands and talked to him, the seats were filled up and we left with a 5 minutes break, Jerusalem and Bluewings buses were waiting here.

Movie Mankothiparavai waas on i slept and didnt watch.
 

This bus is also non stop service no dinner break he stopped at the Kayathar toll plaza for a bio break and driver change happened here, the bus was at good speed we were overtaking many buses I slept down, Lakshman messaged me his bus was delayed and reached 11.30 pm, he must have waited there killing time for meeting me.
 

 We crossed Sattur toll plaza by 11.15pm and Viralimalai by 1.30pm, afterwards good sleep chengal pet was reached 5.20 and tambaram good traffic even at the morning 5.50 am, reached home 6 am stopped in front of the house as usual, waved to the driver and reached home.
Total travel time 7.50 Pm dep 6 Am arrival at Chromepet, 10 hours.

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Rameswaram Visit in Parveen Travels/ Travails

Planning for a trip to visit Rameswaram, all of a sudden decided to visit it on 13th October2012, discussed with family members, came to know son’s school was having a parent teacher meeting on 13th and son and his friends have planned to come in an identical dress given as gift from one his friend’s parents after their visit to Singapore.


After lot of explaining, son relented to join for the trip. So searched for the tickets, SRM rameswaram bus was having tickets in the last row, then tried Parveen travels it was showing 35 seats as vacanton 10th October for the 12th Journey. Not knowing what is in store booked the tickets. The website booking was done and the departure was 19:15 hrs from perungalathurParveen office.

On Friday packed everything and left home so as to reach the pickup point early due to weekend rush, luckily reached the Parveen lounge by 6 pm and waited in their office, the office is located in a residential area and away from the NH45, so not sure where to board the bus, the office staff told to wait at their office itself (all other Omni buses have their pickup point some 500m away from this office).

Initially the lounge was free, slowly passengers came in and it was full, other passengers were standing outside the office by around 7 pm the office staff wore a reflective jacket and went out, I was hoping the bus was about to come but by 7.30 he announced the arrival of snooze bus to Trivandrum, I came out of the office to see where the bus is parked, the bus has come on to the side road by reversingnearly about 250mand was standing near to their office.

My son was getting restless and enquired with the office staff where is the 7.15 pm Rameswaram bus, he told the bus has just now crossed porur toll gate, and finally the bus came to the pickup point at 20:15hrs late by 1 hour, by now we were all hungry boarded the bus, the website was showing the seats at the right in the bus the seating was on the left and right side, the bus is a Veera built coach 12m Ashok Leyland with blue magenta livery, on entering the bus found the gangway not so neat, it looked like anyother MTC bus. The bus started at 20:25 movie 23rdPulikesi was already on, slowly crossed the perungalathur traffic and was cruising along I was checking the speed with GPS, the run was not so great at 70kmph.

Reached Paranur toll plaza,and was cruising, then there was this moron ( I don’t have anyother refined word to describe him) seated behind me, this fellow had asked his friend to take his bike from office and park it at his place of stay, the moron’s friend also must be a moron, so he had parked not sure whether in the middle of the house owners drawing room or not, how do I know that the bike was parked in the drawing room, well he was tellin on the phone the floor tiles will be damaged !! so the moron’s house owner had informed him over phone to park his bike properly, so this fellow now contacted his friend and was directing him how and where to park his bike at a volume level which can be heard beyond the movie’s playback volume, I got so annoyed and gave him a cold stare, but true to his character this moron never bothered and started giving Google map direction to his other moron friend how the house plan will look like where he has to enter how to remove the bike and how to again bring back to another location and to park the wretched thing.

You can imagine the course of talk lasted from kattankulathur to till Melmaruvathur a good 75 km length. I don’t know how the battery has the power to withstand the long conversation.

We were so hungry, completed all the snacks and watched the stupid movie being played, the VCD print quality was so bad I think they must have purchased it from any railway station platform vendor. It was a double torture to ensure one side the moron on the phone, one bad quality film and overall hungry also.

Finally at 9.30 pm the bus stopped at a highway inn motel at tindivanam, this is not the M restaurant where the SETC and other buses stop, this a roadside motel for car travelers, we started having our packed dinner in the bus, the moron was also on the bus having his dinner, the bus engine was off and the place was so calm, and luckily for me again there was a person standing outside very far from bus may be 100 m away, he was so loudly talking on the mobile.

So to give company, I was replying to his talk and at the same time taking a dig at the moron, I was not sure whether that fellow understood it or not.

Meanwhile I had an itching sensation and checked the seat’s crevices and found bedbugs, when checked with my family they also complained that they are getting the itch bites while seated. I cursed for booking in this service, when the driver came after completing his dinner went and complained to him that the seats are full of bedbugs, that fellow casually listened and told is it so?, I was so furious told him to bring a torch and check the seats.

The bus started after 30 minutes, ARC travels came in for his dinner break, now the movie got over and second movie winner started this movie selection shows the taste of the fellow who had chosen the DVD. But for reasons best known to them or due to the selection of the movie they switched off the entertainment system. Usually when the movie is off they switch on the night lamps, but this trip has to be special in all ways, the driver / cleaner never switched on any light in the saloon and it was pitch dark. It was bit scary too, and I usually sleep with night lamp on, I cant get sleep when there is complete darkness.

My GPS battery was low tried to charge with the charging points it was not working. The second driver in his 50’s age was driving in a sedate manner. I was too tired and after sometime fell asleep.

In the meanwhile I have forgot to introduce you another cartoon character, this person is seated on the Left hand side seat to me, he boarded the bus when it was about to leave and was sleeping all along please note it he didn’t even get down during the dinner break. Why he has to given prominence you will come to know the journey has completed only the first half, the second half is full of characters and twists who will compete with the Moron of the first half.

The was nearing Padalur toll plaza, other services AVK, Hasan where overtaking us, soon after crossing the toll plaza now this cartoon character springs into life, he walks to the front and bangs the cabin door, there is calling bell switch to alert the cabin attendant, but as usual this fellow is unique at the midnight he bangs the door, the crew is sleep so nobody pays attention, keep in mind the saloon is dark with no lights and then this ghost feature is enacting this drama, after banging for 10 minutes the cleaner opens the door, the fellow asks for water and a water bottle is given. He returns to the seat now he realizes that he has covered major part with dinner and since he slept from the word go now his sleep is also complete so the fellow starts the episode where the moron has left. He fiddles his mobile and connects to another useless fellow on the other side and starts talking, in the middle of the night a loud conversation with no lights, I was forced to watch and hear the antics.

At 1.15am the bus enters Trichy and stops at the Parveen office they exchange some papers and one passenger gets off here now the journey resumes the driver change occurs here.

We take the Pudukottai road and the new driver was kind enough to switch on the saloon night lamp, now I am able watch the character, reclined in his seat he is still continuing his conversation, now the 4 lane road ends and non existent road starts the bus ride is bumpy and I am not able to sleep, thought this fellow will stop talking but not so, the bus crosses keeranur and still this fellow is on the phone, I couldn’t take it any longer I tap the seat and tell him in a louder voice to shut and keep quiet, “do you what time is it, are you aware that there are others also in the bus”, with that the cartoon show ended immediately, I lost my sleep and tried to get in to sleep.

At 2.30am it reached Pudukottai and the cleaner with his loud noise announced pudukottai, as I was seated in the second row I was to hear all this, at pudukottai a lady passenger alighted at this unearthly hour how could they reach their home?? After Pudukottai the bus service was converted to a townbus service it stopped at all places enroute whether the passenger got down or not, the cleaner will shout at his top of voice, Thirumayam, Karaikudi, Devakottai,Thiruvadanai, RS Mangalam, Ramanathapuram, Devipatnam, Thangachimadam (There is akkalmadam also),mandapam, pamban shouting at these places and losing his sleep might have frustrated him I believe after the Pamban bridge he was giving a sarcastic remark everyone is visiting the Rameswaram temple!!(Ellarum Rameswaram samiyaepakka than porannungulo) it made me angry to show such a disrespect to passengers, but what to do it is Parveen Travels may be it is their customer standards.

Got down at Rameswaram at 6.15 am tired, with disturbed sleep and with bitemarks of the bedbugs. I was afraid whether I was carrying any bug with me. Hopeless service I will give a negative rating on all counts, I have send a feedback let us see whether he displays in his testimonial or not, I will not try to use their services again nor I will recommend to others, SETC will always be a shade better.

Stayed at SenthilAndavar LodgeRameswaram, the woes were continuing the water supply was not there in the room, this was discovered after entering in to the bathroom, Hotel fellows coolly replied it will take 30 minutes to resume the supply, what else to do waited and then started to the temple had breakfast at their restaurant, good for nothing , the hotel was only knowing the name of the tiffin items they don’t know how it should look or taste, ordered pongal and what was served was not able to differentiate with upma or kichadi, coloured water mixed with salt in yellow and white colour was accompanying it not sure what is it., O!! is it sambar and chutney, someone has to explain it. This booking was also made through a website, so religiously given feedback in the website, they had guts to ask the question will you recommend it to your friends, why should I and invite the wrath of them.

Had a good Darhan at the temple and took an auto to view other places of interest in Rameswaram, came to the room vacated and reached the bus stand, there were no buses to Trichy, Many buses were there for Madurai, checked with the timekeeper and he told next bus is at 12.30, a good one hour to wait at the Bus stand with fish basket to accompany.

At 12pm came a ramshackle bus named express to Trichy TN63 N 1163, and started at 12.30 pm, this bus took all its time to reach Trichy at 20:00hrs, 7.50 hours journey for 230 km, scolded the driver and the conductor for the Express service, the TNSTC fellows when they are unable to answer anything they have the stock reply “Ask the Oppicers”, these fellows also uttered the same words, gave them a mouthful and got down they were stunned to hear such comments it was visible from the expression on their faces I think they will never forget it in their service.

Wondering was there any cartoon character in this trip, yes it had its own elements, at Ramanathapuram came a fellow fully drunk and seated next to me, he didn’t purchase a ticket I noted it, and when the bus was nearing RS Mangalam the conductor came and asked ticket from this drunkard, this fellow checked his pocket, purse and the characteristic green 5 inch wide belt (vinu chakravarthy trademark brand) with its pockets with press button, rummaged all and produced all the tickets he has purchased ever since he started travelling, he had all the tickets except the day’s journey ticket, myself and my son was having a hearty laugh and dscussing ourselves in English about the drunkard’s foolishness, finally the conductor took money and gave him a ticket, when the fellow paid for his ticket I think he came to his senses, he furiously searched his purse for all his papers for the ticket, till now he was sleeping and falling on me, now he is more alert in searching his ticket, the fellow got down at CK mangalam.

Reached Trichy had a dinner at Sangeetha restaurant and walked towards the Bus stand SETC ultradeluxe to Chennai 21:00hrs departure was ready took the tickets and the conductor offered me seats 1 and 2, the bus had the sticker 6 hours journey time, it started immediately and it was new 12 m CRS engine type Bus, it was having good pickup but i think it is not having air suspension the ride was bumpy.

To complete this part of journey also there was a jerk seated in the row behind me who obkected of my pushback recline and straightened the seat thrice, tired and needed the much rest i couldnt take it anymore vented my anger on him and after uttering choicest abuse the fellow chose to remain calm, i dont understand why only  i am forced to these situations. or it happens to others also.

The SETC was flying in Nh 45 the driver was maintaing 88kmph, the bus had GPS tracking and when it reaches 90kmph it would give out a beep, so the driver maintained the constant 88kmph. at vikravandi Aristo M restaurant the driver change occured at 12 am, the second Conductor cum driver took the wheels from here, i was amazed at noting SETC providing 2 conductors for its Trichy Chennai service, first i was worried is he a real driver or just taking the wheels, but soon he showed the real driver in him and drove with the same amazing speed, no honking except at 2 occasions and reached chromepet at 2am  and got down near home, thanked and waved  a bye to him. This Bus was a new one BS IV engine, the seats were of rexine cover and hard cushion, the bus had a digital clock but it was not working, TV was not present but the crew had kept a USB player and all through the journey played selected Ilaiyaraja's songs from 1986 to 1995, it was so pleasant to hear and enjoy the ride, really i will rate an 5 star SETC unexpected surprise journey, which ended well.

Trip report on Infant Jesus Travels.

This is another trip report on Infant Jesus Travels.


Date of Journey 28-8-12 Perungalathur to Nagercoil

Dep 18:55 Arrival 5:00 Fare RS 600 Bus TN74 AC 7002 (New Bus Azad Built Coach 24000km on the odo 12m CRS Ashok Leyland with 6 forward 1 reverse gear and 36 seater layout)

Return 29-8-12 Nagercoil to Chromepet

Dep 18:55 Arrival 5:30 Fare RS 600 Bus TN74 AC 7002

Due to a family function have to visit Nagercoil, and son’s school was having a Holiday on 29th August due to Onam, so as usual tried the tickets in the famous Kanyakumari Express and Ananthapuri express the waitlist was running more than 200, I don’t understand everyday what these people will have work to occupy all the seats in the train, each day 4 trains are running between Chennai and Nagercoil and buses are about 30 in numbers including SETC and Omni/Multi range. Still one is unable to get a ticket with 25 days advance booking in train. Everytime I wish I could ask each and every person travelling in the train to elaborate the reason for their travel.

Understand they are just travelling with no reason or else they fear the train service must be withdrawn due to lack of patronage similar to Asterisk believing the sky will fall down!

So the booking for the 28th August travel commenced as usual the choice was Infant Jesus Travels due to good service, convenient timing, comfortable seating and the attractive fare.

To book a ticket I have to go to Koyambedu which will take 3 hours for the commute in the city traffic, or I can go to Perungalathur but the booking agent charges 20Rs more and the seats are allotted after 30.

So informed wife to go to Koyambedu and book the tickets for the 28th Onward and 29th Return on Aug 10, she was also reluctant to go and on top of that asked me directions where their office is located, from BCM bus snap I gave her the telephone numbers.

She contacted their Nagercoil office and asked for the ticket booking, the person told he is away from the office and will reach his booking office by 11:30 am, he had contacted by 11:30 and told our requirement of 3 seats for 28th and 29th return to Chennai, the tickets were booked Chennai to Nagercoil seat 1,2&3 evening 6pm service , and return 29th by their 7 pm service seats 5,6&11. She had told the booking office person that her brother (who resides in NGL) will come to collect the tickets and pay the amount. So easily done it was a good experience. She asked for discount for booking onward and return tickets but the person told no discounts are offered.

Evening her brother has visited the office collected the tickets and had told the booking office person that the Chennai Nagercoil ticket will be sent to Chennai by courier, then the IJT person intervened and told him no need to courier or carry the ticket for the journey, they can board the bus by informing the passenger name and the mobile number. I was pleasantly surprised by this procedure, without leaving the home my wife had made the booking and also no worries about the ticket reaching by courier or not.

Before the journey date I jokingly told her, first time we are travelling without the ticket just make sure whether they have included our names in the passenger list or not, she again contacted the booking office person on 27th to ensure the booking and he reiterated not to worry and board the bus if at all any problem he had asked to give a call to his mobile. I was teasing my wife, on the date of journey the bus person is going to say without ticket I cannot allow you and if you try to reach the person on mobile it is most likely to be out of reach.

On the journey day at 5.30pm received a call from the Agent and asked me where I am boarding I told him at Perungalathur, with that call we were relieved a lot.

As many of them had asked for the GPS tracking I got a Map my India GPS navigator few days ago and tried to understand the working but even with a manual it was bit tricky and all the time it was searching for GPS satellite.

On the Journey date returned from office bit early packed the things took an auto to Perungalathur, moment we started it started to rain, In the auto I switched on the Navigator and it started to get the GPs signal after 10 minutes and started to display the auto speed, WOW I was surprised so finally got the GPS working.

Reached Perungalathur by 6pm and at Perungalathur they have constructed a new bus shelter we were waiting underneath it as it was raining, meanwhile the SETC buses came and left there were many vacant seats they were calling out passengers, saw a SETC 12 m AN 00?2 registration TVS built ultradeluxe to Nagercoil with its departure written as 5.00/5.16 and a sticker stating 12 hours as journey time, then a SETC kulasekaram went, as usual the TMR to Tirunelveli came then I told my wife and son next an Ajith bus will come after that Infant Jesus will come, as told the Rathimeena came at 6.30 then came the Ajith it was for Nazareth and rain didn’t stop we walked out of the shelter to the Omni bus stopping place here no shelter no cover by then there was big pile up at the perungalathur signal on both the directions the IJT bus came at 6.50pm I was surprised it was the new bus which they have inducted on 14th august, it had projector head lamps, white LED day lights, cabin was well lit, as we approached to board the bus, the driver and cleaner/conductor told us to inform our seat number and board, he asked me which seat I told 1,2,3 and boarded the bus, the bus left immediately by 6.55pm there was heavy traffic, the cleaner came and asked for the ticket, told him we don’t have any tickets and told the Nagercoil office person told to inform you the mobile number, that’s all no other questions asked.

The bus was looking new the odometer had 24000km reading the seats were good fabric with calf support and lots of legroom the reclining angle is very good and the entire bus had good LED white lighting video was playing some tamil movie songs. The cabin is completely blocked from the passenger bay so we cannot see the highway.

I started to switch on my navigator and started to track the speed as the traffic was bumper to bumper it was crawling for some time stopped at the Eraniamman temple Vandalur and the cleaner rushed to the temple offered the offering in the hundial and took the kumkum and came back, slowly we reached Guduvanchery and bus was picking up speed we must have crossed 60km in speed, somewhere near Kattankulathur heard a thud sound followed by a hard braking the bus turned to an angle and all the engine noise was down and the bus stopped at the 38km mark of NH 45, I feared the worst, some two wheeler or something got hit and dragged??, both the drivers and cleaner got down and went to the rear and then inspected the LHS rear last two panels I was peeping from the window, no serious issue then a two wheeler who came by the bus side told to the driver “why can’t you see that fellow getting in to the road” not sure whether it was a vehicle which brushed us or we got sidelined so as to hit a parapet wall of a culvert, there were no sign of any other vehicle stopped nearby. So after waiting for some 15 minutes the bus started but I think the event had shaken the driver, by now the bus was running in a normal speed of about 70-75km.

Meanwhile movie Alakarsamiyin kuthirai was being played this movie title itself had some scenes of the movie being played don’t know what the driver thought whether the movie is not being played properly or was it shown in the previous trip he asked the cleaner to switch to the next movie, now Singam Puli Jeeva starrer movie was on, as usual the print quality was excellent.

We reached Chengalpet few passengers boarded here now the bus was almost full I think

Before Ulundurpet the bus stopped and here 2 more passengers boarded.

Then we reached the Ulundurpet Hotel Arunas by 21:45 and the cleaner announced the bus will stop for 15 minutes, I got down for the bio break and had food packed from the home after finishing the dinner got out and inspected the bus last two panels on the LHS bore a deep dent mark the metal sheet had rolled/teared a bit.

Now the driver change happened and the other driver took over while one passenger complained to the driver “don’t you have a good place to stop, the hotel fellows are waving with a stick”, it is common in these motels one person will be doing rounds with a stick in his hand and will shoo away passengers who take a leak other than the toilet.

Now the bus started the journey, as usual during the halt the engine was not switched off there were no other omni buses at that time in the motel, we gained speed and we were doing 94 to 97 kmph in my GPS then slowly the GPS started showing 100 102 reading, now the GPS battery is down I plugged in to the socket near the TV screen but the plug point was not having supply so switched off the GPS, Rain has also stopped near Maduranthakam.

As I was seated in the first row had enough legroom I could stretch my leg very well.

Now coming to the built quality of AZAD body, the Bus didn’t have any rattling noise the seats were well laid out the interior lighting was all with white LED lights. What I like the most is the night lamp of IJT I don’t know who has suggested it but surely he must be a connoisseur the whole passenger bay will have 4 lamps and in each lamp only one blue colour LED will be glowing just enough to assure the passenger that there is light it will not hinder in any way for sleep. But the interior panels above the window is not match finished properly there are gaps between the panels and also there is an aluminium rail covering over the window sill where our elbow rest it had the paint peeling out already. Driver cabin had a wide berth for the driver and the engine is covered with a cushion seater the front dashboard is similar to BS4 digital odometer with twin large Speedo and RPM meter lit by green light, there was space for the driver to keep his mobile cigarette pack and a lighter automatic door closer 3 step entry I think this bus is bit high due to the Volvo type luggage compartment bay, whenever we overtook all other buses were looking the other buses low in height, Air suspension in all its four wheels is so good, so always the bus was floating and never had a jerk except while passing over the speed breakers at the toll plazas.

I think the driver smoked at the night I could smell the matchstick burning smell and followed by cigarette smoke I looked in the passenger bay to see anyone is smoking or not but I couldn’t see anyone.

The truck traffic was very heavy nearing to Trichy we had to slow down and follow for few minutes at a reduced speed to overtake those trucks. Around Trichy I think the 7pm Nagercoil to Chennai IJT was crossing I guessed it because both the buses gave the horn salute to acknowledge each other it was around 23:50, now I was waiting to hear the same greeting with the other two services but was not able to hear it again

At 1 am the bus stopped just before Melur and the driver change occurred the bus was stopped the hand brake was released the first driver took over here for his second shift, the bus started with a 3 minutes stop, the sleep must have relaxed the driver he started to rip the road, the AL Engine is having a different tune not the usual Ashok Leyland sound, it is much more refined and when the speed is more in the range of 110 to 115km it sends a unique whistling or whining sound it is a delight to hear it, and the driver was driving amazingly we overtook many buses. The TMR bus overtook us and the driver honked us signaling see I have beaten you, I thought immediately we will overtake him but there were so many other buses and trucks before us so after a full 2 5minutes the TMR was overtaken but the speed of TMR was no match to us we crossed in a jiffy. We overtook a KPN semi sleeper, Sreejothi travels and many more.

Not sure bus entered Madurai bypass or Madurai town there were many speed breakers.

At Shankar nagar the driver got down here at 3.20 am and the other driver change occurred we left the by pass and took the city roads to reach Tirunelveli at 3.45am. At Tirunelveli many passengers got down, I don’t know what they will do at this unearthly hour as the local buses will start only after 4.30am, few passengers got down and purchased Halwa from here after a 5 minutes halt the bus started and it slowed down near a tea shop the cleaner got down and took 2 tea cup from the shop and the bus moved, then it stopped at the new bus stand, now in the driver’s cabin he started playing the CD player the speaker was on only in the cabin, as I was sitting in the first row I could hear the songs it was all Ilayaraja songs good collection it was entertaining me well.

Then few passengers got down at valliyoor and another passenger got down at Kavalkinaru within n otime we reached nagercoil Bus stand around 4.50 to 5:00 am.

I will summarize the timing at the toll plaza which I had noted down



Perungalathur 18:55

Paranur (Chengalpet)Toll plaza 19:45 Km run 31 (from the previous location Perungalathur)

Athur (Tindivanam)Toll Plaza 20:35 Km run 55 (from the previous location Paranur)

Vikravandi Toll Plaza 21:15 Km run 43

Sengurichi (Ulundurpet) Toll Plaza 22:15 (after a dinner halt of 15 minutes) km run 45

Thirumandurai (Tholudhur) Toll Plaza 22:50 km run 54

Padalaur (Samayapuram) Toll plaza 23:35 Km run 60

Viralimalai Toll Plaza 00:10 Km run 40

Vellaripatti (Melur) Toll Plaza 01:20 Km run 93

Sattur Toll Plaza 02:30 Km run 93

Kayathar Toll Plaza 03:10 km run 52

Nanguneri Toll Plaza 04:10 Km run 62

Vadaseri Nagercoil Arrival 05:00 Km run 52

Now comes the interesting part we had to go to Temple at Amaravila near Neyyatinkara so took a Thiruvannathapuram bus at 8am from Vadasery bus stand while waiting at the bus stand kathakali orange was entering, IJT which service was not sure he was leaving from Vadasery bus stand SRS multi, KPN multi was entering Vadasery bus stand.

Around 9am SRM multi was crossing at Amaravila, After returning from Amaravila to nagercoil around 10:30am saw another SRM Multi, Kesineni Multi from HYD around 11:00am both proceeding to Thiruvanathapuram.

The driving and gearshift were so smooth, only once while downshifting heard the GRRR sound of the gear. The bus was always riding in the 6th gear it was downshifted only when it was crossing the speed breaker or else no gear change at all.

Return Journey Nagercoil to Chennai the Bus came at 6.35pm at vadasery bus stand boarded the bus at 6.40pm gave the ticket and balance ticket money of Rs 1300 (Yes ticket was booked only by paying 500rs) to the Bus agent, the person from the Infant Jesus office came to the bus handed over money and other documents to the cleaner, then he came inside and asked me whether I had travelled the bus the previous day, I told him yes then he asked did you hand over the ticket, I told him that I informed only the name and boarded the bus as no ticket was issued then he left.

Bus started by 6:50pm it was same crew for the return trip also, reached Kavalkinaru the cleaner rushed to the Mary Church offered a garland to the Mary statue, offered money to the offering box prayed and came back. Bus reached tirunelveli by 8.20pm passengers boarded at the old bus stand Bluwings and SRM multi was waiting, started 8.30pm Movie Eppadi manasukkul vanthai was screened the passenger next to me expressed his delight stating the film is released only few days ago, I didn’t watch the movie, stopped at Highcourt Madamsamy temple to offer prayer and the cleaner picked up a water bottle bubble top from here and paid to the person, do they use it for their cooking/ drinking at Chennai?

Came to sankar nagar the Second driver boarded from here the bus started and must have travelled 5 minutes or so it was stopped immediately the sankar nagar driver got down and was inspecting the dent scratch made in the previous trip, then suddenly the bus was reversed Yes in the divided carriageway the bus was reversing for a good 200 metres then it stopped and waited some passenger was boarding or he missed the boarding point or some known person the bus was waiting for 15 minutes then a bearded person boarded the Bus, afterwards it left and stopped for dinner at a lonely place near nalattinpudur, here all the buses were there SRM, ARC, MKK, SreeJothi, ABT, Universel and many more but the hotel looked like a thatched roof set up but all omni buses stopped here.

Driver change took place here after that the bus was flying.

Return journey timing Nanguneri toll plaza 19:55 km run 52

Kayathar Toll Plaza 21:15 Km run 62

Sattur Toll plaza 22:10 Km run 52,

Afterwards had a sound sleep, not sure when other driver change and toll plazas were crossed while awake the bus was at Tindivanam for dropping passengers then it reached Chromepet at 5:30 am as usual got down in the front of the house and waved off to the cleaner and Driver.

A word in praise particularly for the cleaner, he was well organized he checked the tickets called all the passengers at the dinner halt quickly helped with the luggage for the passengers to alight, t nagercoil he was urging the bus agent to give the documents to leave quickly and above all truly secular he sincerely offered the prayers at the Church and the Temple with the same reverence. I was truly touched by this.

The GPS log recording I am not sure whether it got recorded or not sure how to retrieve, but the GPS navigator battery life is so poor it will not run for more than an hour.

Comments welcome

Chennai to Nagercoil trip in Infant jesus

Made a trip on Infant Jesus.

This is not a Volvo Multi or a Volvo B7R  it is a normal Ashok Leyland non A/c 36 seater Azad built coach. Not sure whether it is a 12m Chassis or normal 10.8m chassis, I think it is a 12m Chassis since there were 7 windows on the side and a door, for normal bus it will be 6 window coach.

My trip was planned from Chennai to Nagercoil on the 22^nd May and the return was on 24^th May2012.

IJ(Infant Jesus) does not have an online booking facility hence tried from May 1, may 4, May 7 may 10 to get a booking on 22^nd May, each time I will get a response as the charts are not opened.

Finally on May 14^th when contacted, the agent told the booking is open and asked him to block a seat for 22^nd Journey over phone, the agent replied the booking is made I can come and collect the ticket at any time.

Evening went to Perungalathur and told my name and asked for the IJ ticket, he has noted down my name and phone number in a notebook and issued me the ticket on confirming both Name and Mobile, never thought the booking will be finalized over the phone itself as I am not known to the booking agent earlier. Seat was 21 and Fare was 620 Rs for  the 6pm Koyambedu departure. Paid him money and collected the ticket.

 Booking agent told me the bus will come at 6.30pm at perungalathur but marked the ticket as 6 pm reporting time at Perungalathur. Asked him why he gave seat no 21 even though I have made the first booking on the chart opening day, he told me they have the allotted seats from 21 onwards, so to get a seat ahead we have to reach their CMBT or Egmore office but the ticket mentioned a note for those concerned with the seat numbers states “ AS the bus is an Airbus service seat allotted at the front or rear will have the same effect and there will not be any discomfort”. Asked him why the booking was denied for many days agent told me that the fare is revised hence the booking was not commenced.

On the date of journey took a MTC chengalpet bus from tambaram and reached Perungalathur by 5.15pm and was standing at the front of the booking agent office, on May 22 the bus stand was very much crowded and all the buses entering in to the bus stand left with standing passengers by SETC and TNSTC buses. Thinking that the IJ bus will come and stop in front of the office, thought of sitting inside the agent’s office, just asked him where the IJT bus will come and stop he informed me the bus will not come to service road of the Perungalathur bus stand nor in front of the agent’s office but will halt at a point after the Perungalathur signal about 150 metres away from the agent’s office. Never knew this even on the day of collecting my ticket I saw SRM and Rathimeena buses stopping in front of the agent’s office.

Moved and stood near to the signal and waited for my bus to arrive from 5.35 onwards, there were many people waiting for the private omni buses over there meanwhile Nagercoil TNSTC, SETC nagercoil Kanyakumari Trivandrum trichy and Salem buses were coming and leaving with all seats full. Slowly noticed the timings on the wind shield it was 16:30, 16:45, 17:00 and so on so waiting for the 18:00 departure series to pass by, meanwhile the first omni bus TMR to tirunelveli came and stopped by the road side they stopped for more than 25 minutes and the traffic got held up a police constable came and told him to move, TMR bus went and parked by the side of the road then came Ajith travels.

Slowly 18:00 departure SETC buses started coming by 6.40 pm still my bus was not there I was getting impatient and by 7pm the white beauty arrived TN 74 S 7002 registration came to halt at perungalathur immediately I got inside the second driver asked for my seat number and allowed me to get in, the bus was almost full with 10 seats vacant at perungalathur few more people got in and the bus had 3 vacant seats at the rear.

MP3 song was playing and checked the bus it had 36 seats with calf support, wide seats with lot of leg room no rear glass and the front driver partition is also completely blocked with no window/ glass to view the driver cabin or the road the bus left immediately and the cabin was closed there was no engine noise since the windows were kept open the outside noise and wind noise was getting in. Body built by Azad is very good no rattling noise interior and seats were well laid out, bus had done 49000km still it looked new

I got a window seat tried to place my bag on the Hat rack it had a hand grab bar running which was not allowing the bag to slide in, tried to squeeze my bag with no success placed my bag underneath my seat. Immediately the fellow on the aisle seat asked me what time the bus will reach Nagercoil, Like a TNSTC/ SETC driver I too got irritated by the question, I too believe by informing the time of arrival many times the bus has reached the destination much later, gave him a cold response and told it will take 12 hours. Then immediately he asked me so will it reach at 7 o clock I heard it will reach at 5 am, I gave him another cold stare and told look at the traffic if it reaches early it will be better, meanwhile there was a traffic jam from Vandalur to Guduvancheri the bus was crawling.

On the other side there were another two passengers seated they started talking on the mobile loudly I don’t understand this when someone is not able to hear properly on the mobile they immediately start to raise their voice, in a bus due to outside noise the voice will be feeble but their voice will be clear on the other receiving end still they shout at their highest pitch. So this fellow started to give the update to his receiving party, his conversation was like this, I didn’t get the ticket in our regular bus and hence I am travelling in this infant jesus bus they are telling the bus will reach tirunelveli by 4.00 am so I will get down at tirunelveli and take my next bus at 4.45 you don’t worry I will call you at tirunelveli. The message was so clear that the entire bus heard it. I thought so the bus will enter in to the tirunelveli so no bypass ride so it is going to take still some time.

Meanwhile the aisle seat passenger again started asking me where I am working, I told him I work at guindy then he replied he works at ayanavaram or something stays in chengalpet, meanwhile the bus crossed Paranur toll plaza as usual there was pile up at toll booth cleared and entered in to the Chengalpet underpass service road, I was shocked  is this bus entering in to chengalpet even TNSTC villupuram buses skip chengalpet I started to groan, but the bus stopped at the service road of the underpass and picked 2 passengers and immediately came to NH45 I was so relieved and didn’t know that there is this short cut for Chengalpet pickup. Meanwhile at the SRM college they have made a good pickup point and booking office, many travels are stopping there to pick passengers. My aisle seat passenger chipped in my house is here only at chengalpet and showed me a road informing me that road goes in to chengalpet town  I heard without interest.

Now the bus was full and the cleaner came and collected the ticket stub, we were crossing chengalpet bypass and the run was getting speed, the air was coming in now. Outside was dark and the bus started overtaking other vehicles I was enjoying the run, soon after we entered in to the chengalpet Bridge hardly we must have crossed 50metres in to the bridge there was a big traffic jam and vehicles were moving on the wrong side of the other bridge and going towards Villupuram we got stuck and I peeped out of the window there was a continuous line up of head lamps indicating vehicles are standing in a pile up. With so much honking and stop go stop go movement finally we came to head on with a Cement bulk carrier this vehicle has entered the bridge and coming on the wrong side and was causing all the Jam. The bridge is just enough for 2 vehicles we crossed that the vehicle and soon started cruising. The bus had such a pickup that I didnt  hear the engine revving sound the gearshift were smooth and there was no downshift and raising the engine RPM, the bus was cruising at around 90 km I believe this I came to know from the overtaking vehicles speedometer many indica and Tavera overtook us the speedometer needle were at 12 o clock position checked with a Tavera speedometer later and found at 12 o clock position it is 90KMPH so the bus was running at 85 kmph.

After CGL they played the movie ARAVAN, the print was Malaysian print the clarity was good, the speaker volume levels were not so high the film was audible, TV was a LCD tv, the movie was interesting in parts and had good suspense element I was watching it intermittently and gazing outside to see the speed of the bus.

Reached ulundurpet Royal restaurant at 9.30pm and the bus stopped for dinner, there was Ajith, Rathimeena AL padmapuri, TMR, and other few travels. The break lasted for 30 minutes and we left at 10 pm, all through the break the engine was not stopped it was running at idle speed, the second driver took to the wheels from here, soon after we left we were at the toll plaza were there was a huge jam with 5 to 6 vehicles standing in each lane and were honking continuously, it disturbed so much, but none of the toll plaza fellows were regulating nor the queue was moving after a good 20 minutes of cacophony we edged a lorry and went ahead to the toll plaza, after crossing the toll plaza found a a police jeep and a policeman who was not at all perturbed by the happening. Then we were running towards trichy we crossed the other 2 toll plazas tholudur and padalur there was a queue but we could sail it in 7 to 9 minutes, crossed trichy around 12.15 pm, crossing the flyover we crossed viralimalai toll plaza I thought now the driver change will happen but the bus was cruising non stop, there were no kilometer stones from trichy to Madurai road, one sign board showed 90 km to Madurai, I thought now atleast the driver change should happen but the bus never stopped and not sure when the driver was relieved.

I slept and soon at 3.15 am the cleaner shouted Kovilpatti, I was surprised, after crossing kovilpatti and 4 am we entered Tirunelveli after alighting the passengers continued to nagercoil at all these points no halting it was just stopped to alight the passengers immediately we started.

At 5.25 am reached Nagercoil bus stand bus stopped in front of the booking office. So in all it took 10 hours from Perungalathur to Nagercoil after deducting 30 minutes dinner break, the service is non stop.

There were no rash overtaking, sudden braking or down shifting gear to show aggression, it was controlled drive, still the engine was having so much power the speed was not at the engine’s peak rpm, still it had reserve power.

We overtook all the SETC/ TNSTC buses one TNSTC bus I spotted at perungalthur TN 74 N 1495 was overtaken at thovalai I suppose it was the 4.30 / 5 pm  departure from CMBT magenta colour super deluxe, this bus has also maintained consistent speed shich we were able to overtake at thovalai only. Rathimeena was overtaken at viralimalai.

After getting down the bus and walking towards the home the next seat co passenger walked up t o me and was telling “didn’t I tell you it will reach at 5pm, you only told it will reach  at 7 pm” . I silently nodded him.

Return  journey was also by Infant jesus on 24^th 7 pm Nagercoil departure we reached the bus stand by 6.30pm, Infant jesus with steel alloys was standing on the bus stand thought that must be bus but after enquiring at the booking office I was told 7 pm bus is a marthandam departure,the  NGL dep is at 8 pm, I asked the booking office person when they will introduce on line booking and Volvo service, he replied they are not interested in online booking wherein he says many people book and don’t report for the journey in that way genuine passengers are not able to travel, Volvo 1 bus they have purchased or about to purchase  but it is a KA registration due to tax issues they have not pursued further. He told at present they are concentrating on punctuality and customer service, my return ticket was 600 RS, I told him that I paid 620 through his agent at perungalathur he told their fare is 600rs only, and advised me to book at their CMBT office for the right fare.

There was universel sleeper ARC, ABT were readying for departure that day due to petrol hike there was bandh in KL, not sure but Jeppiar Volvo, Parveen snooze, Parveen Benz Multi, Tippusultan sleeper and Bharathi multi were all at nagercoil in the evening 6.30 pm. There was one more Multi Volvo Jaibharathi not sure where it is bound to.

My bus from Marthandam came at 6.35pm, the ABT, Perinbavilas A/c,  and ARC were blocking so it was at the far end of the bus stand, I went to the bus and asked the driver  wether can I board the bus he asked me to get in, ther e were already 6 passengers then slowly halted at the entrance of the bus stand after universel’s departure at 6.50pm bus rolled out there were hardly 10 to 12 passengers, bus then stopped at tirunelveli and almost all the seats got filled, one fellow  changed his seat and occupied at the seat behind me, the cleaner was counting the seats and informing 1 fellow has not turned up, they were checking the ticket bookings and wasting time, finally one more person from the cabin came and told the other cleaner that this fellow (seated behind me )has changed his seat then  he asked him to occupy his sea and the 2 seats got filled up. We left tirunelveli and strted racing after reaching the bypass.  At tirunelveli, bluewings, perinba vilas, ARC ABT and 1 SRm multi were all standing near the bus stand.

Before reaching Tirunelveli ABT came to overtaking us once , but we went ahead and it never followed. Stopped at sattur( not sure)  at 9.30 pm for  dinner, afterwards we started at 9.55 pm, again the run continued we were almost overtaking all the buses, the ABT also was overtaken, but however 1 professional courier 407 and a ST courier Eicher they overtook us, ST courier we were able to over take it twice, but professional courier was not at all to be touched. I don’t know what modifications they carry out, on many occasions I have seen the professional courier van racing like anything.

Movie OK OK was started at Tirunelveli, this time too good quality print, my son enjoyed the movie thoroughly.

AS usual in the return also there was a big line up at Padalur,uludurpet, tindivanam and chengalpet  toll plazas, the bus never stopped for the driver change or for any other break, not knowing how the driver change occurs. Reached perungalathur at 5.45 am and asked the driver that I need to get down at chromepet the driver stopped right in front of my house at 6.05 am, I thanked and waved him. The other driver was sleeping in the cabin. Return journey took 11 hours the tirunelveli mixup took almost 45 minutes. Overall good quality bus no noise vibration rattling, good suspension in all the four wheels and more legspace. Definitely good service, good crew and good timing.

 The return was in TN 74AB 2007 air cracked wind shield, Onward was TN 74 S 7002( not sure of the regn numbers)