Mini Bus dilemma in Bhopal

           I have been a hosteler in Bhopal since past 5 years. And of these five years , the most dreaded moments have been those of travelling by city buses.
           Bhopal is a quiescent city , with neat broad roads in most parts of the town , and citizens with a more laid-back  approach towards life.
           But this essence vanishes , the moment you enter into the monsters grumbling on the road. Apparently , some people believe that humans are descendants of animals ; and these buswallas are one of them. Cause they hurl in passengers like they are cattle.And like cattle you are suppose shut up and bear the discomfort.

      

           Most of the time these buses contain a typical crowd. A sullen driver ,who balances the wheel with one hand, and  pours gutka in his mouth with another. A conductor , whose favorite line seems to be " uncle thodo aur khisko , andar bohot jagah khali hai." And who haggles with every other passenger for fare .His favourite position is on the gate , with half his body sticking out of the bus , and his `trained´ eyes in search of passengers far off the horizon
           The passengers are mainly poor , lower middle class people , and students like yours sincerely , who cant afford the ludicrous auto fares in the city. Always , does the bus contain at least one drunken bastard , stinking of sweat and desi booze , a middle aged sleazeball  who wants to stand next to young women and make their  journey hellish . Cause the space is so tight , they cant even move away, and such disgusting people take advantage of this situation. Also , i have mysteriously always encountered  , small children who are on verge of vomiting , and crying simultaneously.
            The capacity of these mini buses atmost 30 people maximum, both sitting and standing comfortably. But on one occasion i managed to count past fifty and then lost the headcount , because the people at back and those hanging outside the gate were not visible.And thrice i got scolded for moving my head unnecessarily , and causing "discomfort" to the six passengers hanging around me.

              
           Another interesting fact is that these buses are always willing to stop anywhere and everywhere , to get the passengers on board , but when the very same passenger requests to stop the bus , so that he can end his long suffering , he is duly informed  that the bus stops at selected stops only.
          There are only two joyous occasions on a mini bus ride , when you feel like throwing a party to your friends. One is when you grab a seat to sit (which requires great skills like ability to block other people, eyes with scanners to spot the emptying seat , tough shoes to stamp on other peoples feet , and intense physical strength. Such a task can be highly exhaustive, mind you.)   The other is when you reach your destination , and get the hell out of the bus.
          Believe  me , no sweet emotion can better that of the fresh air rushing into your lungs , and that you can move your limbs without anyone scowling at you.
          As i will be leaving this city soon , i have taken to spending my parents hard earned money on auto rides , at least one way. Because now i have lost the will to stamp on other people`s feet , and haggle with conductor for one rupee.

        

                    Am sure that this problem is in  all the cities of our country , where buses are the main mode of transport. but the question is what is the solution of these problems. The traffic police turns a blind eye towards these buses , because their pockets are regularly filled. Same is the case with policemen , and politicians who are either fed or threatened properly. The plight of the comman man is ignored , deliberately as usual.....





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