I take public transportation on a regular basis and I must say that it is not always a pleasant experience. I live in the city of Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Public transportation is one of the most used means of transportation here, however it is usually hectic.
First, one has to wrestle with others just to get into a bus. This happens a lot during rush hours, when people are either looking for a way to go home from work or they are looking for a way to go to work in the morning. In this situation, it usually seems like the transport vehicles are not enough for the people out to use them.
People would stand for minutes, even up to an hour, waiting for a bus or taxi going their way to stop by. Then when one eventually stops by, there is usually a big tussle as people try to get in.
In addition to that, another thing that comes with public transportation is the inconvenience. I've been in buses several times, and I can say that I've been squeezed more times than I can count. The drivers of these buses try to carry a lot of passengers to the point that the bus gets so tight.
For someone like me who is slim, I am usually a victim as I find myself being pressed in between two persons like a sandwich. Of course, I have to endure it until I get to my location. There are times when I would be unfortunate that I am going a far distance. That means I would have to manage in such a tight space for such a long time.
With the tight space, also comes the heat and consequently, the sweating. You would get into a bus, and within minutes, you're sweating. The heat, the sweat, the tight space all combine to make one uncomfortable while taking public transportation.
One more thing that comes with public transportation in my city is the rage and quarrels. Several times, I have witnessed passengers exchange words while in a bus. If it's not between two passengers, it would be between passenger and driver or between two drivers. Most times, the people quarrelling start screaming at each other, to the discomfort of others.
The mode of driving is another crucial issue. Some drivers drive recklessly. They drive like they are in a race track and that can be very concerning.
While those are the things involved with public transportation, conditions could be better. If the drivers stop trying to carry so many persons at a time, passengers would be more comfortable as there would be more space. That tiredness that comes after taking public transportation would be reduced to the bare minimum with this change.
Furthermore, if the drivers can be of good behaviour, in the sense that they drive carefully, they don't pick fights with passengers or with fellow drivers, no matter how provoked they are, I believe public transportation would be better. Having a better, more enjoyable public transportation experience would be to the benefit of the greater majority.
