On Feb 8, 2008 7:01 PM, Ramjee Swaminathan <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > On 2/8/08, Vinayak Hegde <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Nice rant, Vinayak! :-) > > But I completely disagree with the take on the public transport.
I too use the bus network a lot (especially when i get frustrated after asking atleast two dozen autos, who never ever want to go where I want to go) and because of the cost factor. Imagine paying just 30 bucks (<$1) and travelling all over the city all day. Inconvenient and time-consuming BUT most importantly I dont have to worry about getting mugged or assaulted on lonely deserted roads and definitely no haggling over the direction or intent of the driver. Auto drivers fleece anyone and everyone and women are the easiest targets, especially if the roads are a maze. Drunken drivers, going around in circles, taking deserted roads is something I find stressful, so prefer the safety in numbers. Another nice thing, the front seats are for women (even BEST has 6 seats for women) only, which ensures i dont have to argue or use any kata's on men who think its fine to accidentally brush against or feel up or fall (by mistake of course) on you each time the driver brakes. Buses here are well networked (if i can remember all 999AtoZ extensions) ... although much lower cleanliness standards than BEST which coupled with the Rail system, few other Indian cities can match 'that' nice a public transport system :) BUT I cant ever imagine a BEST driver waiting for the passenger to board/alight the bus.... perpetual motion, always. Here, the drivers stop the bus when women flag it down and they have the patience and courtesy to wait for her to board/alight. That care never ceases to amaze me and makes me smile. Roads-- Much much cleaner and wider than Bombay will ever be. The rash driving (been a pedestrian victim), pollution, crazy traffic with no respect for rules and speeding is something I am learning to trade-off with pedestrian walk-a-ways, parks (atleast one/km), nice weather, pockets of convenience (read hospitals, markets, school, entertainment, etc..) ....a slower life in short. I dont particularly care much for elitist snobs anywhere, which even if plentiful are free to live in their ivory towers. I miss vada-pav, bhel, panipuri and every street-junk food in Bombay but definitely dont miss the maddeningly crazy crowds nor the heat, pollution and dust (which is the story in many major Indian metros today). If the freedom women in Bombay enjoy to travel anywhere ALONE at any time of the day or night by public transport existed here, it would be heaven. -- || vid ||
