Public transportation

Today section of MTC drivers are on a strike because of the attack on one of their colleagues by group of autorickshaw drivers. I found it really tough to commute to the office after reaching Tambaram today morning. Share auto drivers demand more money due to this issue.

Article on the strike @
Flash strike by section of MTC employees

Due to the above issue, even railway counters [Electric trains] were crowded. I could see around 80 passengers standing in all the queues of the counter which normally seems is not the case.

Recently, I went to Boston and Public transport is pretty good over there with GPS system and train frequency is more and ticket counters [automated] are customer friendly. Ofcourse, few people can say that number of people using public transport in USA is less and hence they are able to maintain. But I want Indian public transit to become more customer-friendly and to be in international standard.

In search of Humanity

I noted many a times that Senior citizens and ladies are not given proper respect in the society [especially in cities]. While I travelling in share auto long ago, old lady has been targeted by auto driver for not getting down quickly when her stop came. He shouted at her.

Today, when I was trying to get into a bus from Vijayanagar junction, bus started moving even when there were few more people needs to get into and also a old man to get down. After people shouted, bus driver stopped the bus.

These are only a few incidents which I am writing down here. But actually there are many which I witnessed. Not really sure if there is any humanity left in this world. Searching for it in this mechanical life.

Hoping for a better tomorrow.

Traffic Rules and Saving Electricity

Wanted to share 2 incidents that happened yday and today.

1) Yesterday I noticed street lights were on @ around 9 AM near Velachery Railway station. Recently there was a hike by TNEB for using electricity. In NDTV-Hindu, there was a discussion wherein a expert told that if TNEB use its power consumption efficiently, there is no need to rise the power tariff now when the common man is already suffering from the hike of fuel prices and thereby essential commodities. Request government officials take extra care in switching off lights and instruments which during day time.

2) There was a complaint that MTC drivers are not following traffic rules. NDTV-Hindu also telecasted a news before a day or two on this. Today there was one such incident near Medavakkam where a bus driver crossed the signal when it is still on. [I mean when the signal is RED]. The bus drivers should be educated in such a way they follow traffic rules because it will a bad example for general public that government staff is not following rule, why we? Hope drivers understand and act accordingly.

Violation of Norms

Yesterday when I was travelling in MTC bus from Velachery to Medavakkam, few college students [not really sure which college they belong to] got into bus @ Vijayanagar junction. They were standing on the steps [as most youngsters do] and start hitting the inner roof along with a song. It was really irritating for the passengers but no one turned out to tell them to stop. I being one among feeling guilty [Eventhough I feel some authoritative power should be there, I also has to accept the fact that its every citizen's responsibility to fight to get their rights]. Bus Driver told them to stop twice but none of the college guys listened. He stopped the bus at Madipakkam signal and went for calling Traffic inspector. As always, before the Traffic police came students went on to catch the next bus.

And they again got into the bus when the bus neared Narayanapuram stop. This time again they started doing the same and were challenging driver that no traffic police will come for the rescue.

I wonder who had given right to them to enjoy at the cost other's precious time. Who had given such over courage not follow norms when one should follow it in public. Main victims are Bus drivers and passengers.

I would suggest bus drivers should be given a toll free number of the traffic police with which they can contact and take immediate action.