Reminiscences of the Bus Traveler

I traveled by BMTC bus today (Formerly called BTS: Bangalore Transport Service). There have been quite some changes to the BTS bus now from the days when I used to be a regular commuter- in a small way it is an indicator of the forward movement of the aam aadmi in Bangalore.. the volvo buses, automatic door locking, power steering/braking system, FM radio, wider seats, etc..

I know people might say that these are not enough, what with the killer attitude of the BTS bus drivers, over speeding, insufficient buses, yadi yadi yadi... But wait.

My association with the BTS bus travel goes back to early 90's. I vividly remember the first day I traveled alone in BTS bus. This was in 1993, Jan 2 (I remember the date vividly as it was a new year and I was in 6th Std). The rate for a half ticket from St Josephs Indian Middle School (the bus stand was called Pallavi Talkies- which used to be a celebrated theater in those days) to Koramangala was 50pc.

As luck would have it- I had carried that 50pc coin in my uniform shorts pocket (the navy blue shorts we used to wear). A small 'yet to be of concern' type hole in my pocket did no good to protect the small treasure it contained. Soon enough, in the hype and hoopla of catching the bus no. 171, I lost my 50pc coin. Not risking climbing down from the running bus, I got in. Soon enough the mustached bus conductor demanded for my bus pass or money.. With half moist eyes- I told him my sad tale. Being a man of some concern, the conductor just looked into my eyes and with a kindly word or two let me travel on! That was my first money-less travel. Something which I can never forget- the kind conductor and also the ticket which he gave me without taking any money (this, I had preserved till recently along with my old coin and stamp collection- I think it is still there!).

Subsequently, till I passed out of Engineering (this was the toughest time- traveling no less that 20Kms from Koramangala to RVCE in Mysore Road changing no less than 2/3 buses..), I have had many unforgettable journeys in the BTS bus. I loved traveling in the old double decker buses (I used to board them for fun in school days though it did not ply on my route to home), first volvo bus service, the front engine drive (getting that elusive gear box seat) and ah... the 171A bus at 3.45PM which I used to catch at the signal near Kanteerava stadium (now long gone as it is a one-way.. those days the road used to be tree lined, and policeman controlled traffic with his hand signals)... it was crucial for me to catch this bus as I wanted to reach home at 4PM and watch the 1 hr cartoon show on DD Metro! Driving 6 Kms in 15mins is impossible anywhere in Bangalore now!!

Well, coming back to present times- I do pity the poor souls called 'bus driver' and 'conductor' who are paid pennies to take in all the carbon emissions, the rush hour traffic snarls, the thousand abuses from God knows who all (right from the traffic policeman to the irked bus commuter to the driver of that slick new car who is in a hurry to reach one of the glass buildings housing the celebrated IT offices!).... I really pity them... and yes, if I was the driver why should I not over speed and try to overtake that millionaire kid racing on the road in his swanky new car.. or for that matter if I was the conductor- why not hurl abuses at the North Indian commuter who does not even know how to speak the local tongue and yes, why take pains to learn that alien language (read hindi) when not even paid 1/5 of the lowest paid IT worker.. why? why?

I don't know the answers to these- but I surely know that this cannot continue.. when I came today by that BTS bus, I could see the morose, tired, overworked and frustrated conductor trying all languages to ask where I wanted to go.. I have seen more amicable conductors in the past 15 years, I still remember the old guy who gossiped about the latest movie or politics on the No. 164 I used to take to reach college. I was much pained to see the changes around- may be Bangalore is turning cosmopolitan, a true metro, a city which is waiting with open arms to welcome one and all- the Indian immigrant and the foreigner who buys the services of the big IT firms.

In the Western world (the one that we are trying to ape)- there is dignity of labor. Is it an alien word here? What has that poor conductor or driver done to deserve this treatment? Does he not have dreams/aspirations which he wants to bring alive? Can he make a decent living in Bangalore with the pittance he gets paid?

I don't know. Do you?

Ciao till next time...Harsha