As a regular commuter by the town buses plying from Margao Kadamba bus stand to Davorlim or Housing Board what one experiences during the short journey makes one believe that the conductors and drivers are the final authority in themselves; and are free to operate their buses as per their whims and fancies. The time each of the buses spend at the non-designated stop opposite St Sebastian Church, Aquem stretches between 15 and 20 minutes trying to secure maximum passengers by literally manhandling the innocent people as the train arrives, pulling their bags and the belongings to force them into their buses which are lined up at times two or three. You can see them struggling to free themselves from the clutches of the conductors while the drivers move their buses a little further giving the impression that they are about to take off. Those inside the bus have to bear up with the blasting deafening music that goes on all through the journey. Requests from the commuters to put it off falls on deaf ears — a careless attitude! Seats designated for various categories of the commuters are no longer visible.
From Aquem to State Bank of India they make a minimum of eight stops and then again a long wait opposite State Bank of India – Margao. An hour for a distance of less than three kilometers, innocent passengers coming from outside Goa having no idea of distances so end up paying Rs 15 instead of 10. Students are more than often deprived of the change thereby paying the full fare having no courage to ask for it due to the arrogant and disrespectful attitude of the conductors.
Why are tickets not being introduced? Is there no dress code for the drivers and the conductors? Drivers are seen in singlets and they keep spitting out repeatedly as they consume ‘gutka’ or ‘pan masala’ and the mobile is used even when the bus is in motion. Many of the buses have their seats torn and the door with the sharp metal projecting making it dangerous.
How long are the commuters to tolerate these irregularities which displays callous attitude of those in authority to bring about law and order? Is this the type of culture that Goa is out to portray for being a tourist destination? What a pathetic state of affairs! Are the RTO officers listening?
