15 - TRAVEL TRAVAILS

Having to commute to work by taxi or bus has a unique set of hurdles.  The first one is that I should be able to board a bus.  The next is that the bus may be overcrowded.  If it is not, then I can be seated.  But certain factors can mar the joy. 

I may sound like a pessimist but that is the truth and has to be accepted and explained..  All may seem well,  but soon the peace within the bus is shattered by a loud voice, instructing a colleague, on the mobile,  how to tackle a fussy customer.   And another shrieky female voice, argueing aka Arnab Goswami, but on the mobile,  that the new flat should have blue tiles and not the grey ones............

All this is the noise pollution within the bus.   The loud, incessant honking of the traffic outside, creates an unbearable din on the exterior of the bus, which violates  the ear drums of all passengers within the bus too.

The last straw is when the strong stench of a garbage truck overwhelms the senses.   With the traffic moving at a snail's pace,  I am forced to watch the garbage truck preceding my bus and to breathe in the foul air.

So the senses run riot during my bus journey home.   Of course, the pot holes add the normal bumps and subsequent bruises that occur.

But recently, I can overcome these tortures.......I shut my eyes and transport myself to France and Switzerland......where my children and I had toured last month.    The smooth roads,  the unspoilt natural scenery,  the peaceful silent roads.     That was so strange.  The motorists do not honk at all in Pairs and Germany.    Traffic signals are obeyed and every vehicle respects the zebra crossings.   Oh my India,  I wish every driver would get a chance to experience driving in Europe, and emulate the traffic discipline.

Also, the road repair department should attend a workshop in France, as to how to build and maintain smooth, pothole free, clean roads.

14 - THE BUS STOP

The BEST bus routes are the safest way to travel in Mumbai.     But not the most regular mode of transport sadly.   I have waited for more than two hours for the bus to arrive and with no other choice of travel at the spot.  

If only the BEST would have a GPS tracking system at every bus stop,  then commuters could easily realize when a particular bus would be expected.  Preferably access to the monitor should be easy,  similar to the railway monitors that are available on railway stations. I have waited for a bus for almost 2 hours........sad but true.   And on such occasions there is not even an unoccupied taxi available. 

Once,  after having waited for almost an hour, in vain, I decided to walk, and then the bus passed by.
If only a GPS would have been installed,  the BEST would get more passengers too.

Sometimes, due to morchas or certain religious processions,  buses are diverted.  The unaware passengers continue to wait and suffer.  Technology should be used to reduce the trials of humans and the BEST can do so.  The advertiser on a particular bus stop should be made to sponsor the GPS monitor.  I sincerely look forward to this upgradation by the BEST.

Another change that I would like to suggest, is that the steel bus shelters are very uncomfortable to sit because the backrest bars are too close to the perpendicular angle of the seating plank.  the backrest bars need to be dismantled and welded to the second vertical curved supports.  This will enable the passengers to sit comfortably on the seating support.  Presently it is not at all easy nor restful to sit on the  seating,  as the backrest bars are too close for comfort.

Are you ready to revamp your facilities dear  BEST???    You will surely increase your revenue.

One more suggestion, is that, the bus stops should be clean.  Especially the Mumbai central bus depot.  It is your flagship stop.  I pass by every morning and evening.  At both times, there is a garbage pile around the area.  Of course, in the morning I am in a taxi, since the BEST randomly cancels  or changes major bus routes.  The 64 route was randomly cancelled.......then reinstated, after I had taken the initiative to collect more than a thousand signatures (with phone numbers)  and requested the then head, mr Khobargade,  and begged and requested certain MLA's to intervene.  And then the route was randomly diverted...........so unexpected and unexplained and below the belt.

Please dear BEST,  I request you to live up to the acronym you boast about.