Busses have improved considerably, with self-opening doors and better furniture. They still get crowded from time to time, with people almost sitting on each others laps, hanging over you (or I hanging over them) from the corridor, and luggage everywhere. But it's fun.

Oh, there is a bus to and from Istanbul and Ankara every day (but do check). Sometimes the minibus brings you to Kastamonu, with a guaranteed connecting seat, but I have a ride in a large bus straight from Inebolu also. It seems to depend of the number of passangers, or the day in the week.