Passenger Premendhar Reddy shares a distressing experience with RedBus and SMRR Travels on his Hyderabad to Bangalore trip. Allegations include no bus details, 2-hour wait in rain, missing reserved seat, bus breakdowns, and rude driver behavior. Choice4Voice.com highlights this complaint to push for accountability and customer justice.
Complaint Summary : Premendhar Reddy’s Complaint Against RedBus & SMRR Travels – Shocking Service Failure
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Complainant Name | Premendhar Reddy |
| Company | RedBus & SMRR Travels |
| Journey Date | 10th August 2025 |
| Route | Hyderabad → Bangalore |
| Issue Reported | No bus details, 2-hour waiting in rain, missing reserved seat, bus breakdowns, rude staff |
| Booking Platform | RedBus (with other passengers affected via AbhiBus & MakeMyTrip) |
| Order/Seat No. | Reserved Seat: SU3 (not available on boarding) |
| Loss/Impact | Missed important business meeting, physical & mental stress, disrespectful behavior |
| LinkedIn Source | Original Complaint Post |
Full Complaint Write-up
On 10th August 2025, software engineer Premendhar Reddy booked a Hyderabad-to-Bangalore bus through RedBus with SMRR Travels as the operator. What should have been a routine overnight journey turned into a nightmare.
Key Issues Faced:
- No bus details provided:
After booking, Premendhar did not receive any bus number or contact information apart from a single phone number that went unanswered despite 15–20 calls. - Two-hour wait in heavy rain:
The scheduled boarding time was 10:30 PM, but the bus arrived nearly two hours late, forcing passengers, including Premendhar, to wait soaked in the rain with zero communication from RedBus or SMRR. - Reserved seat missing:
Upon boarding, Premendhar discovered that his reserved seat SU3 did not exist in the bus provided. No explanation was given. - Bus breakdowns:
The replacement bus broke down twice during the journey, raising doubts whether SMRR had merged multiple bookings into one poorly maintained bus. - Rude and dismissive staff behavior:
When Premendhar politely explained that he had an important business meeting, the driver arrogantly replied: “Talk to the office, get down and find another bus.” - Impact on passengers:
- Premendhar missed a crucial meeting.
- Passengers endured rain, breakdowns, and delays.
- Many travelers (from AbhiBus and MakeMyTrip) suffered the same ordeal.
Consumer Concerns Raised
- Lack of basic customer service and accountability from RedBus.
- SMRR Travels accused of operating unfit buses and showing zero empathy.
- Calls for AbhiBus & MakeMyTrip to reconsider partnerships with such operators.
- Multiple passengers were affected, not just an isolated case.
Most Searched Q&A on This Issue
1. What happened in Premendhar Reddy’s complaint against RedBus & SMRR Travels?
Premendhar faced multiple issues including lack of bus details, 2-hour rain wait, missing reserved seat, bus breakdowns, and rude behavior from SMRR Travels staff during his Hyderabad to Bangalore journey on 10th August 2025.
2. Who is responsible — RedBus or SMRR Travels?
While RedBus is the booking platform, the actual travel operator was SMRR Travels. Both share responsibility SMRR for poor operations, RedBus for failing to provide updates or accountability.
3. What seat issue did the complainant face?
Premendhar’s reserved seat SU3 did not exist on the provided bus, raising concerns about mismanagement or ticket overbooking.
4. Did the bus actually break down twice?
Yes, according to the complaint, the bus broke down two times during the journey, creating suspicion that multiple bookings were merged into one faulty bus.
5. How did the bus staff respond to passengers?
The driver allegedly told the complainant to “talk to the office and get down,” showing arrogance and a complete lack of customer service.
6. Why is RedBus being tagged in this complaint?
Since the booking was made via RedBus, the complainant holds them accountable for failing to provide reliable operators and customer support.
7. Were other booking platforms involved?
Yes, other passengers who booked through AbhiBus and MakeMyTrip also suffered the same poor experience with SMRR Travels.
8. What was the impact on the complainant?
Premendhar missed an important business meeting, faced exhaustion, and suffered mental and physical stress due to the ordeal.
9. Is this an isolated case against SMRR Travels?
No, multiple passengers traveling on the same bus reported facing the same issues, suggesting a systemic problem.
10. Can passengers claim a refund in such cases?
Yes, passengers can demand refunds from the booking platform (RedBus) citing deficiency in service under Indian consumer law.
11. How can passengers file a legal complaint against RedBus or SMRR?
Passengers can file complaints via the National Consumer Helpline (NCH) or approach the Consumer Court for deficiency in service.
12. Can passengers hold drivers accountable for rude behavior?
Yes, but drivers are employees of operators. Accountability ultimately lies with SMRR Travels management and booking platforms like RedBus.
13. What rights do passengers have when buses break down?
Passengers are entitled to safe, timely, and reliable travel. In case of breakdowns, operators must provide replacement vehicles or refunds.
14. How does such poor service affect RedBus’s credibility?
Frequent incidents of mismanagement by operators can damage RedBus’s reputation, as customers associate the failure with the platform itself.
15. What precautions should passengers take before booking on RedBus?
- Always check bus operator reviews.
- Save multiple contact numbers.
- Keep booking and payment records.
- Report issues immediately to both operator and platform.
16. Can RedBus blacklist operators like SMRR Travels?
Yes, RedBus can blacklist poorly rated or repeatedly complained operators, but action depends on consumer pressure and regulatory oversight.
17. What regulatory body oversees bus operators in India?
The State Transport Authority (STA) regulates operators, while consumer courts address grievances for service failure.
18. Are AbhiBus and MakeMyTrip also liable here?
Yes, since their customers also suffered due to SMRR’s negligence, they must ensure better vetting of operators.
19. How can such incidents be prevented in the future?
- Real-time bus tracking.
- Verified operators.
- Strict penalties for non-compliance.
- Dedicated 24/7 customer helplines.
20. Where can passengers raise their complaints publicly?
Passengers can raise complaints on platforms like Choice4Voice.com, which helps amplify genuine customer voices against corporations.
About Choice4Voice.com
Choice4Voice.com is a consumer-advocacy platform that gives customers a stronger voice when companies fail to listen.
- Customers submit genuine complaints via a simple online form.
- Verified cases are published on the website and LinkedIn.
- Public visibility and corporate pressure often lead to faster resolutions.
If you have faced a similar issue with RedBus, SMRR Travels, or any other company, we encourage you to submit your complaint here so that your voice is heard and companies are held accountable.
