Mumbai Commuter Community

Nope, this isnt going to be about Mumbai trains and the community that forms there, even though that is pretty interesting too. I never really became part of it - story of my life – part of everything and not at the same time! It is definitely interesting – the difference in harbor, central and western lines – the choice of activities in those three, language etc. Heck even the catfights have a distinctness to them!

I wanted to write about BEST bus drivers and conductors. And also the auto rickshaw-wallahs. Now that was my community. I had a regular route from Oshiwara to Malad during 2002-2003. I used to like one of the routes; I think it was 259, the bus used to pick me up at 8:50am. This particular conductor, like all the BEST bus conductors used to wear his clean ironed uniform with badge in place and go about collecting the cash from the passengers. It used to amaze me that everyday, with almost each person, he used to have a comment to offer which used to break the usual serious Bombay commuter expression into a smile. I don’t know about them, but it used to make me more cheerful in the morning going to work– and that’s something!! I should have written an appreciation letter sometime – I admit it, I’m hopeless at these right things to do bit!

Anyone who has traveled in buses in other cities – I have, in Delhi and Hyderabad – Bby buses are heaven! Of course if you are female and have traveled in Delhi buses, anything is an improvement. In a place like Bombay, in a crowded bus even, you realize the concept of personal space, something you don’t get in an empty bus in Delhi! If you get onto the bus and want to get off at a particular stop just gotta tell the conductor once – he will remind you himself two stops prior to the one you need to get off on. These guys carry authority well – no one disregards them as “only” bus conductors – and they work bloody hard.

Bombay roads are terrible, and the traffic sense has deteriorated to a state, where I felt Delhi traffic sense is better – I never thought I’ll see the day when I would even think that, let alone say it AND PRINT it for all the world to see! But tell me, how many BEST buses have you seen scraping another vehicle – major accidents are rare since going above third gear is an achievement in most cities – very few, if at all, right? I have seen none. In all my 7 years in Bombay I have seen none. I need to repeat it to believe it. Kudos to BEST bus drivers, is all I can say.

I have a love-hate relationship with the auto-guys in Mumbai. Could not write much more than generic stuff about the buses, but autos – ah, now this becomes a one-to one interaction na, so there are much more insights to share!

When I moved to bby, it was such a novelty to get into the music wala autos! And some of those near college used to also keep English cassettes. The new guys, from UP etc and all the young ones, who I’m sure are driving without a licence have spoilt the orderliness with which the auto wala industry used to operate. I’m referring to the waiting in lines, lane driving, courteousness – the old guys if you’re fortunate to run into (not speaking literally of course!!) still have it. I do make it a point to appreciate their driving after I get off, so they don’t lose it!!

why love-hate? here's some reasons:

• I hate the driving sense; I love the fact that Bombay auto guys are the only ones who will dismiss away 1-2 Rs if you don’t have change.
• I hate the bumpy rides; I love that the drivers can double up as DJs and will change music/radio channels to your liking.
• I hate that some of the talented intelligent ones, college dropouts, can only do this for a living; I love that you can chat up with almost any one of them and enjoy their travel tales.
• I love the fact that if you had a nice chat with one of them and happen to have visited their hometown sometime, they take you to your destination and refuse to take your cash, and you have to force them to take it.
• I hate the auto walas from the airport who start whining for more cash than the meter stipulates; I love the plastic sheet cocoon they make of the autos in the monsoons.
• I love the fact that you can find a glowing red or blue one near your house even at 3 in the morning.
• I love their popping out a cellphone and officiously hanging up as they are busy with a customer.
• I love it when you are going alone at night and trying to be less visible to some peering eyes in a passing car, and the auto guy slows or changes lanes to ensure less access to the peeping tom.
• I love their business sense, only in Bombay can you have a regular morning office wala auto, which waits for you, so that he knows he will definitely get that one assured sawaari to start with.

Yes, Bombay is all about finding your comfort zone. And you know what? You can find a comfort zone anywhere, anytime in Mumbai. Even in a bus or an auto or a train!