KPN Bus Lines (South India)

This is my first post, although I've been reading voraciously for quite some time. I lived in India from 2002-04 and managed never to take a bus. Now, I'm returning with my partner and due to the supreme run-around trying to get my train tickets booked, I'm faced with having to take several bus journeys of 8-12 hours each. KPN Bus lines have been recommended to me - AC sleeper coaches or AC volvo buses. Their website makes them sound okay but does anyone have some actual experience with KPN? Can you tell I'm nervous?! Train travel is a known quantity (both it's good and bad bits). Buses strike me as less safe (scary Indian driving), more confining, and potentially more gross (can people smoke on buses? what about the toilets?).

Thanks for any reflections you can offer!

arumai:

KPN has a good reputation. But, some rash driving is a birth right that cannot be given up! Volvo AC buses from KPN and Sharma are generally well maintained and are on time. They change drivers after certain hours of driving.

Thanks so much - this is helpful information. I think I'll give KPN a try.