Monday, January 5, 2009

the ruthlessness of the bus staff

every day we hear of the ruthless attitude of bus drivers and conductors.reckless driving, unwillingness to allow students with student concession to travel, lack of decency in the bus etc are some of the complaints against them.
today i saw in front of my eyes the laidback attitude of these people. by gods grace, i was sitting. we were travelling through the city. the bus driver was very fast and it seemed like he wouldn't apply the brakes until the last moment. like usual this man saw a bus entering into our track but he dint bother to slow down. and when he was sure that there would be a collition, he slamed the brakes. all of us went forward. but an unfortunate lady who was about to get down at the next stop was standing. this jerk made her loose her grip and she fell backwards onto the engine.

the severity of the pain was very clearly seen on her face.one grace she had was that her husband was also there with her. she told him that she couldnt get down and so they sat in the bus itself. and when the bus reached the next stop, the conductor went upto them and said "ok now,please get down".

then all the other passengers shouted at the conductor.they said"it happened in your bus and so you have some accountability.you go with them to the hospital". when they said this i could see a very obvious anger rising on his face. probably because he feared the mob, he went along with them, but grumbling.
and when they were out, the driver and the new conductor were talking to each other as if it was the lady's fault that she fell.
such an attitude must change. i appreciate the service that they are giving us. but the element of human touch is very much necessary.