While we debate the future of EV range and autonomous driving, it’s worth looking back at one of the most grueling automotive feats in history: the London–Calcutta (Kolkata) bus service. Operational in the 1950s and 60s, this “Indiaman” route covered roughly 10,000 miles, taking passengers about 50 days to travel from the UK to India.
The journey was less of a comfortable commute and more of an overland expedition. Passengers traveled in modified coaches, traversing difficult terrains through Europe, the Middle East, and South Asia. Tickets cost significant sums at the time (roughly £85 in the 50s), but the adventure offered an unrivaled perspective on the changing landscapes of the interconnected world.
The service eventually ceased as air travel became faster and more affordable, but it remains a fascinating artifact of a slower, more analog era of globalization. It serves as a stark contrast to today’s instant digital connectivity.
Leave a Reply