The bus service from London, England to Calcutta, India (now Kolkata) was considered to be the longest bus route in the world.[1][2][3] The bus service, which started in 1957, was routed to India via Belgium, Yugoslavia and North Western India.[4] This route is also known as the Hippie Route. It took about 50 days for the bus to reach Calcutta from London. The voyage was over 10,000 miles (16,000 km) one way and 20,300 miles (32,700 km) for the round trip. It was in service until 1976.[5] The cost of the trip one-way was £85 in 1957 (equivalent to £2,589 in 2023) and £145 in 1973 (equivalent to £2,215 in 2023). This amount included food, travel and accommodation.[3]
| Overview | |
|---|---|
| Operator | Albert Travel |
| Status | defunct |
| Began service | c. 1957 |
| Ended service | c. 1976 |
| Route | |
| Start | London, United Kingdom |
| Via | West Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan |
| End | Calcutta, India |
| Other routes | London-Calcutta-Sydney |
| Service | |
| Journey time | 50+ days |
Route
editThe bus service was operated by Albert Travel.[6] The maiden journey set out from London on April 15, 1957.[7] The first service arrived in Calcutta on June 5, 50 days later. During its journey the bus traveled from England to Belgium, and from there to India via West Germany, Austria, Yugoslavia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and North Western India. After entering India, it eventually reached Calcutta via New Delhi, Agra, Allahabad and Banaras.[5]
Facilities on the bus
editThe trip was equipped with reading facilities, separate sleeping bunks for all passengers, fan-operated heaters, and a kitchen. There was a forward observation lounge on the upper deck of the bus. The trip was more like a tour than just a trip. The bus provided radio and a music system for parties.[1] It had time to spend at tourist destinations in India, including Banaras and the Taj Mahal on the banks of the Yamuna. Shopping was also allowed in Tehran, Salzburg, Kabul, Istanbul and Vienna.[3][8]
Later history
editAfter some years the bus met with an accident and became unusable. Later the bus was purchased by Andy Stewart, a British traveler. He rebuilt it to be a mobile home with two levels. The double-decker was renamed as Albert and was traveled from Sydney to London via India on October 8, 1968. It took about 132 days for the bus to reach London. Albert Tours was a company based in England and Australia and it operated on London–Calcutta–London and London–Calcutta–Sydney routes.[9]
The bus reached India through Iran and then it traveled to Singapore through Burma, Thailand and Malaysia. From Singapore, the bus was transported to Perth in Australia by ship, and from there it traveled by road to Sydney.[10][11] The charge for this service from London to Calcutta was £145. The service had all the modern facilities as before. The bus service was discontinued in 1976 due to political conditions leading up to the Iranian Revolution and the escalation of tensions between Pakistan and India.[12] The Albert Tours completed about 15 trips between Kolkata to London and again from London to Sydney, before the service ended permanently.[13]
References
edit- ^ a b "This Was 'World's Longest Bus Route' From Kolkata To London". Curly Tales. 2020-07-06. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ "A Bus Ride From London to Kolkata in 1950s? Yes, The Viral Photo is Real". News18. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ a b c Civic Affairs. Vol. 4. P. C. Kapoor at the Citizen Press. 1957 – via books.google.com.
- ^ "London Calcutta Bus Trip 1957 london India Editorial Stock Photo - Stock Image | Shutterstock". Shutterstock Editorial. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ a b "Samayam". malayalam.samayam.com. 2 July 2020. Retrieved 13 June 2023.
- ^ "London to Calcutta by Road? Picture of 1950s Albert Travel Bus Service is Going Viral, Know Details About This Fascinating Historic Journey". Unique News Online. 2020-07-02. Retrieved 2021-02-19.
- ^ Whispers of Yesterday, Rare Historical Photos, Old Photos, retrieved 2023-11-29
- ^ admin (2020-07-04). "ലണ്ടൻ – കൽക്കട്ട ബസ് റൂട്ട്". News Kerala online. Retrieved 2020-07-24.
- ^ Eat, Tech Travel (2020-07-03). "ലണ്ടനിൽ നിന്നും ഇന്ത്യയിലെ കൽക്കട്ടയിലേക്ക് ഒരു ബസ് സർവ്വീസ്". Technology & Travel Blog from India. Retrieved 2020-07-31.
- ^ "ലണ്ടനിൽ നിന്നു കൽക്കട്ടയിലെത്തിയ ഇന്ത്യാ മാന്..." ManoramaOnline (in Malayalam). Retrieved 2020-07-31.
- ^ INGALIS, LEONARD (1957-08-08). "London-Calcutta Bus is back in London - Owner drove passengers 20,300 Miles". The New York Times.
- ^ K, Noushad K. "ലണ്ടൻ - കൽക്കട്ട ബസ്". Retrieved 2020-07-31.
- ^ "Kolkata, Then Calcutta, Once Had The World's Longest Bus Route All The Way Till London!". Whats Hot. Retrieved 2020-07-31.