I have been a resident of Bangalore for the past 5 months and in this period have been to Bangalore City junction , the main railway station twice, n both times in a car with my brother and family. Never did I bother the find out the timings of the subway which connected the railway station to the Kempe-Gowda Bus Terminus, which was actually just across the road.
It was 4:20 in the morning and the train screeched to a halt. Suddenly I woke up from my deep slumber (Amma always said, never sleep 'well' in a train especially when you are travelling alone, but that never works you know), I looked at my watch n the time was 4:20, quickly put stuffs into my bag n slowly disembarked the train. I was told by a very informative co passenger that bus-service starts at 5. Still, the thought of waiting at the station till 5 was a little boring and I decided to 'S>>L>>O>>W>>L>>Y' walk out of the station. I casually climbed down the stairs, watching around, reached the entrance, bought a coffee , sat down for a while and still the time was 4:40 !!! When you want time to move , the inertia of rest seems to be at its best..!!! With loads of peeky eyes staring at me, I decided it was better to move than to sit idle at the entrance, I walked towards the exit gate, n found the subway which connects the railway station to the Kempe-Gowda Bus terminus (effectively just across the road) CLOSED! And on the road I could see quite a few buses on the move. Then I realised, probably the 5 AM constraint was for the subway and not the buses. I looked around for a while wondering what to do and, I could also see a crowd around the road divider, I went closer to realise that the 'gate' had been opened for people to go to the bus Terminus.
Quickly moved along with the crowd, and boarded a bus which read 317 from the front and 314A from the back, since both went via Ulsoor, I was sure I would reach home.
I was too happy with myself, for haviing saved around 80 rupees and found a comfortable seat for myself for Rs.6 !!! Felt like a responsible good girl and comfort at 4:50 in the morning => Sleep. The bus set to motion and I unconsciously dozed off....All of a sudden the lady seated beside me jerked,and I woke up, all I could see was a board that read 'way to krishnaraja puram', oops , I immediaely jumped out of my seat, and asked the driver, "are we past ulsoor?", he almost laughed, then I again asked 'are we past tippasandra', He said yes, (he was very much aware of the fact that my ticket was upto Ulsoor)!!! He finally did wait a little longer at the next stop, helped me with my luggage and said, I can find a bus on the other side of the road.
I climbed down, looked around, now this area was completely new to me and the clock showed 5:25, and it was still dark. I crossed the road, looked for the so called bus stand the driver was talking about, but alas ... not one soul was there..!!! Completely at a loss, suddenly woken up form the "completely happy with myself" state, I decided to forget about money and take an auto. Finally, I reached home for Rs.36!!!
At home after one and a half hours and after a good tour of Bangalore , before sunrise, all for Rs.42!!!!
