When it comes to senior citizens, the crew of Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses follow a policy: “The conductor is always right.”
The younger drivers think senior citizens are always in a hurry. Hence, they apply a differential accelerator technique the moment a senior citizen sets foot on the footboard. And lo, the bus picks up such speed that the old man or woman is tossed around. On board, the elderly are made to walk as if on a treadmill. The conductor, as usual, will be busy issuing tickets, oblivious to the troubles faced by the old people.
Fortunately, one day the conductor was standing right at the door, and as a perfect host, extended a warm welcome to a frail elder. He not only held the hand of the 80-plus man firmly but also escorted him to a nearby seat. But the problem started the moment the conductor asked the senior to show his identity card. The senior was not carrying one. After all, which is the one? The one issued by the bus company, the Income Tax Department or the Police Department or whatever, because each conductor has his own rule of acceptance, though the cards are issued by one State department or the other?
Rules for whom?The Good Samaritan of a little while ago flew into such rage that our old friend was looking at his old self as if he was being spanked by a teacher in primary school. When I intervened to tell the conductor that after all, rules are made for the people and not otherwise and that he himself had assisted the senior to board and sit on the bus, pat came the reply: “Rule is rule. If the squad comes and detects, who will pay the fine?” To cut the long story short, I think the old man paid the normal fare and bought his peace.
I do not know why the seats reserved for seniors are sought after by everyone, particularly young Romeos. Is it because it is at a hopping distance from the door or because it is right behind the ladies’ seats? If it is already occupied by a young man, a senior who enters the bus has to deploy all the strategies he had learnt in his heyday. He not only studies the body language of the young man, especially the sleeping pose, musculature and looks, but also the location of the conductor, supposed to be the man of the last resort.
But luck was not always on my side. Once the bus I boarded had the seats meant for seniors unmarked. The bus was full and young men were occupying those seats. I invoked the mercy of the conductor, who was very philosophical in saying: “Look for your senior seat somewhere and occupy it.”
Unwritten codeThe crew have a certain unwritten code of conduct for senior citizens. First, being a concessional commuter, they should always carry small change. Otherwise, it would invite the wrath of the conductor, who will spoil the mood of the driver, who, in turn, will spoil the mood of the passengers by using his accelerator and brake testily on bumpy stretches, which is plenty in Bangalore.
Secondly, never make a conductor an ally in fighting with young men occupying a seniors’ seat, because the conductor will always be busy. Sometimes, the conductor and the driver may be discussing something serious, such as how to make the bus operations profitable, and may not like to be disturbed.
Thirdly, never question the wisdom of a conductor in deciding which identity card is acceptable to him to ascertain senior citizenship, even if you happen to be the issuing authority of such ID cards till the previous day. For, the conductor is always right.
Fourthly, while buying the ticket, be careful to use a high-pitch tone against the sound of the hoarse bus engine to say you are a senior citizen first and then the destination, lest you invite the wrath of the conductor for his having cut the ticket for the normal fare. He will give you a stern admonition for not having mentioned your status first.
Sometimes there are good conductors, notably women, who at least say, “ Ejamanare kooth kolli (sir, please sit down),” and issue a ticket after ascertaining the availability of the identity card, small change and so on. This tribe is rare. God bless them.
In the evening of senior citizens’ life, our buses offer a variety of experiences worthy enough to relate to our grandchildren.
After all, variety is the spice of life. Long live conductors and drivers.
sundaramsadagopan096 @gmail.com
