SHOW NO SYMPATHY TO GOA's BUS OPERATORS

Letter published in Herald and GT on 22/9/2010

At long last the Goa Department of Transport has taken steps to nail the mischief of bus operators. Whenever such action is initiated the public gets inconvenienced by the bus operators to get symapthy. The bus operators, whether state or inter-state, do not deserve any public sympathy from the public. The inhuman travel conditions of the commuters in Goa's public buses is pathetic, with women and the aged being the most affected. It is high time that the department of transport instill some sort of decorum in the bus transport system. The bus conductors and drivers must be educated on basic public relation skills and made to understand that they are not transporting cattle but humans. Bus fares get repeatedly hiked with various promises by the operators like issuing of tickets and wearing of uniforms by the crew. But this is all forgetten within a couple of days and then demanding a ticket only invites abuses from the bus conductor. Buses endlessly linger on at the bus stands. Reckless driving of buses in a bid to compete with other buses for passengers is another threat to life and limb of the commuters. It is time that all this nonsense is immediately ended and commuters be allowed to travel with dignity.