My public transport trips have mostly been uneventful. Of course there are times when one or two things go off but I quickly forget about it when I alight. Nice things happen too. Actually, I just tend to forget too quickly.
If it were when I was younger, those times I made bus trips with my parents, I would definitely have far too many stories to tell. But I can barely remember any from that time.
Notwithstanding, I recall this fateful day, myself and a friend were headed to get stuff. After standing at a busstop waiting for a minibus to no avail, we had to join this bus. I really don't like buses, they're always loud and stuffy..
No sooner had we got into this bus and it moved before I realized we were in for some drama. The conductor was something else. Very cranky, loose-mouthed and rude. Just about two minutes into our journey, the bus conductor requested we pay our fares. My friend refused saying we only just boarded and hardly have gone a distance. Ah! This conductor started ranting and ranting. It was annoying and I just hate negative attention so, I got out the money and paid.
Die he stop talking? No. Throughout the journey, it was one drama to another. If he wasn't cursing a passenger for giving a not good looking naira note, he was berating an intending passenger for haggling transport fare, or he was insulting other bus drivers or, he was yelling at a passenger for not alighting while the bus was still in motion. It was crazy.
Then something happened. There was this elderly man on the bus too. Should be in his late 60s or early 70s, I presume. He got in at the same stop as me. Before getting in, himself and the conductor agreed on his fare. On getting to his stop, he gave the conductor a 200naira bill but rather than 100naira, the conductor gave him 50naira. When the man brought the conductor's attention to that, he came down on the elderly man in all his frustration. They got in an argument and this conductor grew violent. He yelled, cursed the man, gave him a five("wqka"), and went as far as pushing the man. Passengers began yelling at him.
This younger man(should be in his 30s) asked the conductor to give the elderly man back his money and then he paid the man's fare in full. We continued on the journey
Did the matter die down? No! The conductor kept talking to no end. This time, he rained insulting words on every passenger who had spoken against him earlier. Sincerely, I wondered what he was like in his family. I felt pity for his family, truly.
Anyways, we got to some part of the city, Bori Camp. By the name, you can guess that it's a military zone. There, the young man that paid the elderly man's fare earlier pleaded with the driver and passenger to give him a minute, saying he had to give something to someone. Everyone was okay with it. The driver parked by a side of the road. The young man got down the bus, looking around like he was hoping to see someone. It was then I got a better look at him. He was clean shaven and neat. I whispered to my friend that I sensed trouble brewing and alas, I was right.
Just then, three army officers walked to out bus. They gave a little salute to the man and then he pointed at the conductor. It was a sight! Before the conductor could make to speak, they sent slaps like thunder flying to his face. The slaps were enough to make him deaf. The young man apologized to all of us in the vehicle for the inconveniences, he asked the driver to continue on the journey without his conductor. Some persons pled with the man but he would have nothing of it. By this time, this conductor was in a squat position and was made to frog jump into the camp.
I felt some pity for him. For all of the torture and pain he'd go through. But also, I wanted him to learn. His job required he had some people management skills. It was just something else.
If I want such experience again? I don't think so. I don't want to experience bad public transport services. I detest drama.
Thanks for gracing this post.
Greetings!