I have had the pleasure and privilege to travel on variety of public transport (or 'transit' as it is referred to stateside) options on several continents.
Here are my obvious and not so obvious observations of the occupants in transit -
India -
1. There is predictability and cadence to the local trains that ply the Mumbai suburban network and operate at 400% of capacity most of the time - to get a sense for what 400% means - there are so many people hanging on a rush hour train that tens of them do not make it - as in get terminated before the terminus - killed in common parlance. Most working class uses this as the cheapest and fastest way to move around the metro. In a pinch even the upper echelons will jump in the first class car (or bogie as the English would have us say) and take their chances of surviving till the destination. Most that ply this form of transit are sweating like the floods on the Ganges - no chance for any Spice (Old or New) to work its magic here. BO, cheap candy, excruciating music, card playing gangs and flower garland hawkers along with the usual finger artistes are a staple.
High speed or long distance travel is usually on overnight trains in India allowing a passenger to stretch out on a berth - like a boat parking - and wake to the sounds of local delicacies being peddled right outside your window - breakfast is served. Now when it comes to balancing the fluids in the system after that cup a tea or spicy vada - you better start praying. Noxious environs with varying degrees of disgust will envelop you as you first identify and then attempt to use marked location for your ablutions.
Perhaps you will pass on that option and wish that you had learned Meditation in your formative years.
2. Local bus services in metros outside of Mumbai - no predictability to this service - there are routes and there are buses - but the availability of one is a matter of chance, local political influence and religious sanctions; as in a sudden movement by a native crowd to honor a 16th century warrior on a busy work day could actually derail the schedules ad infinitum. All manners of people ply this conveyance - from managers to blue collars - if anything gets through a jam it is the bus.
3. Taxi service - here again (pardon my bias toward Mumbai which seems to be the only metro in India that actually has a semblance of a functioning city) outside Mumbai you are literally on your own. The cab hiring process varies with more combinations than Baskin's ice cream flavors. Here to knowledge of local landscape is helpful or you could become part of it. Now many come with air conditioning and helpful service (like MERU in Mumbai) and are reasonable format to get from A to B in one piece.
4. Rickshaws - 3 wheeled contraption unique to certain cities like Pune (central India) this mode of transport is perhaps the most value for money (no relation to Richard or Shaws). Although try to hire one for a one way ride to the airport and you will likely pay double. People can be seen sharing the ride through an innate ability to save on their hard earned cash.
I shall expand on this thoughtful narrative with other continents on my next one....
Here are my obvious and not so obvious observations of the occupants in transit -
India -
1. There is predictability and cadence to the local trains that ply the Mumbai suburban network and operate at 400% of capacity most of the time - to get a sense for what 400% means - there are so many people hanging on a rush hour train that tens of them do not make it - as in get terminated before the terminus - killed in common parlance. Most working class uses this as the cheapest and fastest way to move around the metro. In a pinch even the upper echelons will jump in the first class car (or bogie as the English would have us say) and take their chances of surviving till the destination. Most that ply this form of transit are sweating like the floods on the Ganges - no chance for any Spice (Old or New) to work its magic here. BO, cheap candy, excruciating music, card playing gangs and flower garland hawkers along with the usual finger artistes are a staple.
High speed or long distance travel is usually on overnight trains in India allowing a passenger to stretch out on a berth - like a boat parking - and wake to the sounds of local delicacies being peddled right outside your window - breakfast is served. Now when it comes to balancing the fluids in the system after that cup a tea or spicy vada - you better start praying. Noxious environs with varying degrees of disgust will envelop you as you first identify and then attempt to use marked location for your ablutions.
Perhaps you will pass on that option and wish that you had learned Meditation in your formative years.
2. Local bus services in metros outside of Mumbai - no predictability to this service - there are routes and there are buses - but the availability of one is a matter of chance, local political influence and religious sanctions; as in a sudden movement by a native crowd to honor a 16th century warrior on a busy work day could actually derail the schedules ad infinitum. All manners of people ply this conveyance - from managers to blue collars - if anything gets through a jam it is the bus.
3. Taxi service - here again (pardon my bias toward Mumbai which seems to be the only metro in India that actually has a semblance of a functioning city) outside Mumbai you are literally on your own. The cab hiring process varies with more combinations than Baskin's ice cream flavors. Here to knowledge of local landscape is helpful or you could become part of it. Now many come with air conditioning and helpful service (like MERU in Mumbai) and are reasonable format to get from A to B in one piece.
4. Rickshaws - 3 wheeled contraption unique to certain cities like Pune (central India) this mode of transport is perhaps the most value for money (no relation to Richard or Shaws). Although try to hire one for a one way ride to the airport and you will likely pay double. People can be seen sharing the ride through an innate ability to save on their hard earned cash.
I shall expand on this thoughtful narrative with other continents on my next one....
Volvo buses in Bangalore are decent and airconditioned for local transport. But otherwise, it is entertainment unlimited, if you want to give it a positive spin.
ReplyDeleteI agree. On an overnite Volvo I got more than I asked for - an SMS confirmation receipt of my trip on my cell ph along with chewing gum and some indeterminate fluids on the window curtains.
ReplyDelete