Hassles of public transport.. weekly-engagement #51.

  > *"Sister abeg shift small for me, make I sit down"* said a bulky man who had just boarded the bus that was to convey us from Badagry to Mile 2 in Lagos.

"Oga there's no space again on this seat for me to shift" I politely replied. The next thing that happened was quite unexpected but not unusual.

The man said "na so una go dey do like say una carry chair from una papa house come inside bus, mtchewwwww!"

I was shocked but the good girl in me ignored him and held my peace. For those who don't understand pidgin English, the entire scenario happened in a public transport vehicle. We were seated four persons per seat and I was close to the window (my favourite spot). The bulky man was asking me to create space for him to sit down comfortably and I replied in the negative since that was not possible as the seat was packed full, but then he would not have it and wanted to start a series of rancor insults in the bus but I didn't allow it as I am well aware that such things don't end well for either party involved.
 
This is just a snippet of what mamy people go through while making use of public transportation. The hassles involved with it is enough to give one a headache and spoil the mood for that entire day.
 

 
Like seriously, what the heck is wrong withpublic transport...? Nothing in all honesty but its like there is a kind of wind that controls both the passengers, conductors and drivers that causes them to lose their humanity and begin to behave animalistically.
 
From bus conductors refusing to give back one's change after payment of the transport fare to them raining insults on the passengers or even getting into a brawl with fellow passengers....all for what? All to prove a point that would not add any benefit to their personal achievement or life in general.
 
I truly despise the way most of these public transport owners and their conductors treat the passengers they want render service to. Some of these buses are in terrible state like some not having window glasses for protection and some buses are without doors to protect the passengers, should anything untoward happen on the road.

Two weeks ago, while coming back from an errand at a major market in lagos, I boarded a bus that looked alright from the exterior but when it began to rain, I saw hell as my clothes were soaked due to the roof of the bus leaking in several places. I even called the attention of the conductor, for him to find a solution but he ignored me and still collected the full transport fare from me and other passengers despite the unpleasant condition of the vehicle. I nearly cried because of the discomfort but I had to bear and wait quietly for the bus to get to my destination.
 
In order not to fall victim of the incessant insults and abuse which is a popular trademark with public transport, I usually try these tips below;

• I leave for the motor park quite early so that I can get to sit at the passenger side close to the driver in front. That way no one is disturbed or bothered with the incessant coming in of passengers or passengers alighting the bus.
   
• When I am not so lucky to see a vacant spot at the driver's corner, I make do with the other passengers inside the bus. When this becomes the case, I try my best to ignore anyone and everyone. I literally play deaf and dumb or listen to music via my airpods and I only speak when its time for me to alight. This saves me from unwarranted discussions that might arise in the bus.
   
• Lastly, when I don't want to deal with public transporters and their wahala (problems), I opt for an uber or a taxi to convey me to my destination. I prefer this a lot to commuting with public transport but the deal breaker is the high transport fare charged by Uber. The fare is almost triple the anount charged by public transport but at least I have peace while embarking on the journey and that is good for me.

These are my ways of managing the stressors from public transport.

I believe that certain things can be done to make public transport bearable. If the buses are in good order and the bus conductors and other passengers are polite to each other, then the hassles would greatly reduce.
 
Thank you for reading.....shalom
 
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio
 

Photo by Guvluck