Buses, this is where you really rub shoulders with Goa. The Motto of the private operators is "Let nobody be left standing". Ay the starting point they load the bus till it is bursting at the seams. The conductor climbs up to the windows from the outside, to make sure every inch of space is used . At this stage you wonder if there is any air left to breath, the conductor signals the driver not to start, and loads on a few more passengers. mass packaging at its most impressive
Through all this , the extreme patience and tolerance of the Goan comes to the fore. Often the buses have only one door for exit and entry, when a passenger trapped at the wrong end of the bus wants to get off, the bus waits without a murmor, while they squeeze their way out

so true...
we love the buses and always use them in the day if we arent driving the car, shame they stop so early at night. I love it when they blast out the hindi music!! and that bus mentioned above from Panji to Margao is amazing.... like a real coach/bus so comfy!!! i also like meeting up with the locals on the bus (seems like this year i will be meeting up with all the HT'ers instead we wont need the evening meets... can do it on the bus ) and many of the bus drivers get to know you, I have never been ripped off yet either (lucky??!!) forgot to say there is a stop outside Lawande supermarket and on the opposite side just past cactus opp Lawande)
chilly

I like the sign inside the bus that says "No Spitting"

Fizzy does it mean no spitting at other passengers

I also like the signs that say, ladies/disabled persons only on the seats, and standing for 11 persons, I wonder if they can read English, as no one takes a blind bit of notice ha ha

yes I agree Tomita, it was hilarious last year as a lady got on and made one of the locals shift from the 'ladies only' seat....he was really put out but she wasnt taking no for an answer and got really bolshy!!!
chilly

We are normally based at the Park Avenue Hotel in Calangute, which is near Ticlo Resorts and the Infantaria Bakery (at the bottom of Baga road is in Calanugute where there is a roundabout which leads to the steps of Calangute beach)
There is a Clearly defined bus stop near the Tibetan Market next to Infantaria. We get the bus upto Baga Head for 4rps each. It was the same fare from the Bus stop near the other roundabout near the Calangute market/apora road to Candolim or Sinquerim. There are several "proper" bus stops around complete with Shelter and seats. E.g. Near the Victor Exotica. Otherwise at the end of Beach road, we would just stick our hand out or congregate near other people. The Bus also stops outside the Supermarket under Babutes at the end of Osborne road. As previously mentioned some bus drivers don't give change. I always keep small change handy in a small purse for bus fares or for persistent beggars.

On some buses when the buses are full to the brim the drivers sometimes stick me at the front next to the driver. But as I am a western lady of the larger size, if they stick me out of the way, they can get 3 more full paying Indians on the bus as well!
I have actually asked the conductor for this once, and he obliged straight away.

P.S. If you ride the local buses, no one wears Right Guard, so you have been warned!