As the bus swept into view, the old couple waiting at the bus stop looked at the scattered crowd
around with some concern. From past experience they knew very well that expecting people to board
the bus in an orderly queue was out of the question. It was common for anyone who ventured to
suggest that possibility to be greeted with a stare reserved specially for Martians by earthlings.
But the old couple was simply not prepared for the mayhem that followed the arrival of the bus.
Half the crowd was at the bus doors before the couple got a chance to check the bus route number.
It was impossible to penetrate the thick human wall. Still the couple made a vain attempt to get
in almost losing their spectacles and footwear in the process. By the time they realized that they
could get in through the front door, the bus had started leaving them behind at the stop – wondering
about what the world has come to.
The situation described above is not from any fictional book but a daily scene at the scores of
bus stops, bus and railway stations across cities, towns and villages in India. The idea of forming
a queue is totally align to people who think that the best way to catch a bus is to climb over one
another. Young and middle aged people seem to be at the forefront thus proving the primal rule of
“The Survival of the Fittest”. No one stops even for a moment to glance at the small children,
pregnant women, handicapped people and senior citizens who get left behind.
Are we still in the Stone Age?
Steps:
Our first solution for the big bus and railway stations is a proposal that cannot be implemented
without the consent of the local transport system authorities and police. We strongly urge the
Citizen Group to take up this matter with the
authorities and follow it through.
A hike in the ticket price of Rs 1 – that’s right, Rs 1 – can be implemented. As the number of people
at these stations and bus stops is usually high, this hike will work out to a considerable amount
that can be used to hire help from security companies. These people – 1, 2 or more depending upon
the average crowd size at the place – will see to it that the queues are formed. They should also
ensure that small children, pregnant women, handicapped people and senior citizens board the bus
from the front door and are the first ones to get into the trains. If any money is left after paying
them, it can be utilized to improve the stops or stations gradually as follows:
Boards should be put up describing bus numbers, the intermediate stops and timings.
Boards should also mention clearly that the workers manning the crowd are paid and so
don’t have any authority to ask money from public.
Boards urging people to form queues
Benches, water fountains, dustbins and toilets.
Information counter.
Telephone booths.
The second solution - especially for the bus stops - needs help from the Citizen Group. Volunteers
from colleges, schools and companies can work in different shifts to convince people to form queues.
This also calls for the help from public. They should support these volunteers when it comes to
convincing an adamant person bent on pushing his or her way through to stand in a queue. We are all
in it together. “What do I care” attitude is not going to work. Remember - if you don’t stop the
person jostling someone else today, you will be the one who will be pushed around tomorrow.
Last but not the least, parents should set an example for their children by simply following the
practice themselves.
Feedback :
If you have a better solution than the ones mentioned above, we would love
to hear from you.
