Do we have any regulation that the length of the bus should be this much metres or something. Is there any specification provided by the transport ministry?
Or is it that costly to have/maintain a toilet within the bus? Or the greedy bus owners dont want to lose that much amount of space, and have more seats instead? Why dont buses in India have toilets?
Last night I was coming back from chennai to bangalore. There was a lady along with her 4 or 5 year old son travelling. The kid felt like using the bathroom frequently. And every time, the lady used to goto the front and request the driver to stop the bus. Some drivers are rude and dont stop. But this guy was decent enough and stopped frequently. Thanks to the kid, we all got frequent toilet breaks. At the same time, its easy for guys. But very tough for women. I wonder why the bus owners/manufacturers dont think of buses with toilets?
Many people, especially families hesitate to travel in buses mainly because of this reason!
on 28 Dec 2005 at 10:08 am # visithra
They don’t want to dirty the roads? No ventilation in the buses? U might end up travelling in the toilet instead of with?
on 28 Dec 2005 at 10:14 am # vee-jay
Why dont buses in India have toilets?
It will be treated like public toilets - it starts and ends there. The way the toilets in sleeper class compartments in long distance trains are used is proof enough.
on 28 Dec 2005 at 10:19 am # Ravi
Very pertinent issue, Prabhu. I believe buses that ferry between Singapore to KL have this facility. Similarly, the Greyhound buses in the US also have this facility, I believe. I think it can be done - like the toilets on planes with minimal space & functionality!
on 28 Dec 2005 at 10:53 am # Maverick
Maybe, they could try this in some of the buses in future. But I just don’t know how fesaible it would be in India looking at they way toilets are maintained in trains. If not well maintained, it would be one helluva journey to travel in a stinking bus for more than few hours. And again the costs involved in maintaining it could be higher. As such, I find that the bus fares of private operators these days are very very expensive and this could just increase it further.
on 28 Dec 2005 at 11:15 am # B a l a j i
I think the maintanence overhead for the bus operators is prohibitive.
Then u might end up paying 700 rupees to travel from chennai-bangalore.
on 28 Dec 2005 at 11:32 am # Rubic_Cube
With the kind of road quality in India, with the kind of driving skills, with the kind of people that travel in buses??? …. Naaaaaaaaaaaahh!!!
I dont even need to add anything more that aids your imagination.
on 28 Dec 2005 at 2:45 pm # Chenthil
The National Coach buses in UK have toilets. The buses are tall and the toilet is placed in the middle. You have to get down a few steps and open the door to use it. I think the cost of travel would increase if the buses incorporate this facility. But bus owners can think of premium buses with this facility.
on 28 Dec 2005 at 4:18 pm # Bala (Karthik)
Very pertinent post. I’ve been the victimized A LOT OF TIMES while travelling from Bangalore-Chennai-Bangalore [it never helped that i travelled after downing some beers!]
Anubavikkaravanukkuthaan kashtam theriyum
on 28 Dec 2005 at 9:09 pm # Vijay
I second visithra and vee-jay..
maintenance will be a hugeeeeeee issue.
on 29 Dec 2005 at 10:45 am # F e r r a r i
Visithra,
There are ways by which the roads dont get dirtied. And ways are there for ventilation too!
vee-jay,
If people just flush after using the toilets, half the problem is solved!
Ravi,
It surely can be done!
on 29 Dec 2005 at 10:46 am # F e r r a r i
Maverick,
Bangalore to chennai by AC bus is 560 Rs!!!!!!!!
B a l a j i,
We are already coughing up around 600 Rs
Rubic_Cube,
Chenthil,
Exactly! There is nothing wrong in trying out. In one or two buses to begin with!
on 29 Dec 2005 at 10:48 am # F e r r a r i
Bala(Karthik),
He he
Vijai,
If people who are using it are sensible, then maintenance will not be a big issue!