LET THEM TAKE A BREAK!

BY NOLAN PINTO

Picture courtesy- www.ksrtc.in

Ever since accidents have been reported at frequent intervals, the very thought of traveling in a bus is extremely scary. And that Volvo buses have been involved in most of them was especially shocking. 

I have been traveling on the Volvo buses of KSRTC regularly since 2007. That year, I would travel in one almost every fortnight to and fro Bangalore. Never once did we meet with an accident but then, the buses were new and the drivers were still a bit more careful. It was a new toy in the hands of KSRTC. There was this one incident when the driver tried to overtake a truck but erred in his judgment. The rear mirror rammed into the back of the truck and shattered into pieces. No harm done to anybody there.

I was traveling to Mysore on the same day a Vovlo bus toppled on its way to Bangalore from Nellore. The thought of that accident was still very fresh in my memory considering that as an anchor, this story was very big for the channel I work for. 5 people died and many were injured.

While the reason given by the travels owner was that the accident was because a pack of dogs ran across the road, eye witnesses said that the driver was fast and reckless. According to some reports, the drivers in these travels are overworked and hence reaching their destination on time means some extra rest before they head out again on a long journey.

Many a times I have noticed drivers speeding just in order to be on time. They struggle to head out of the jam packed city and then while on highway speed up. It is nothing but scary. Many passengers do not mind that speed since they too want to reach their destination on time.

The bus I was in while on the way to Mysore was supposed to be this Volvo non-stop. Commonly known as the Airavat, passengers are ready to pay a bit more for the comfort and speed. Sometimes the drivers do stop on the way to allow passengers to drink some tea/coffee or even relieve themselves and nobody complains. The drivers too get a small break and it’s necessary. But this was the first time I heard some passengers yelling at the bus driver. They were angry that he stopped to get something to eat and drink.

The passengers started barking that this is a non-stop service and that they were getting late. Some even yelled that the driver should have taken a break before starting and more. But when the driver regardless of the yelling and shouting parked and got off, the passengers who yelled and screamed also got off for a tea break!

I remember saying to myself, what was the use of all that? The driver required a break and hence he stopped. It’s best he did so rather than falling asleep at the wheels and putting all our lives in danger!

My point is that non-stop or no non-stop service let the drivers stop when they feel like doing so. It is not easy to drive a big bus especially with such terrible traffic and horrible roads. Add to their misery, the constant worry that cars, bikes and autos cut in. We want to be safe and maybe half an hour late is better than never reaching your destination at all ever!