There was a time when travelling even a few miles by bus from Basavanagudi to Maharani's College near Majestic used to be an ordeal. After standing in a long line, my mother had to climb up into a crowded aisle and hang on to a strap from the roof as the overloaded, dirty, bus ploughed through traffic for the best of an hour. An ordeal she went through for many years.
In most Indian cities people bought scooters and mini cars because the alternative of public buses was a mirthless waste of time. There would also be pickpockets and purse snatchers to boot.
The bus driver would see a milling crowd hanging around restively at a stop and manage to draw them forward in a race of the fittest as he stopped several yards beyond the stop. Old people and women or those with any luggage had no chance of making it.
There is a sea change now. I see snazzy Volvo's cruising with people seated comfortably in air conditioned comfort. I see them reading, chatting on mobiles, or texting, or listening to music. Many dose off as these luxurious liners move for long periods from one end of town to other. Tickets are not cheap but still less than auto fare. Anyway IT salaries more than take care of it. And for women and old people it is good to travel now. It is a better choice than driving in your large car and getting stuck in jams as scooterists nudge around and knock off rear view mirrors.
Here is a shot of what I saw this morning. Such a nice bus indeed.
