read an article last week about a man who punched another man on the train for talking loudly on his mobile phone. I thought to myself, I know your anguish; but surely that’s a little extreme?
By a little; I mean a lot. Whilst people talking on their phones annoy the living hell out of me, so much so that I refuse to answer calls whilst on public transport, I’d never consider punching someone in the head as a means of shutting them up.
Well, actually, I lie. A part of me would consider it, but I’d never actually do it. Probably because I’m just a 20 year old girl who wouldn’t dare lay a hand on half the people on public transport.
I say half based on the stereotypes I’ve encountered as part of the 47% of people in WA who use public transport on a regular basis .
Firstly, I’d never stand a chance against the angry-at-the-world-for-no-reason pubescents; sprawled across the back seats with their cigarettes tucked behind their ears. Where did they get such a high horse, at such a young age, for such a good price? I mean, cigarettes are pretty expensive these days.
Then there’s that one person who plays their music that little bit too loud…Only, they must be deaf if they don’t think everyone else can hear it. Whatever the case, they never catch through the back of their eyelids, all the dirty looks being thrown their way. I will never understand how they manage to sleep through that crap.
Then there are the Asians. Now, I’m not a racist, in fact my best friend is Asian, but they usually come in a group of at least three or more, leaving me slightly outnumbered. Luckily they have either their mobile phones or their weekly grocery shopping to distract them.
Then there are the school kids, whom, despite averaging a height of about 4 ft, are all equipped with significantly oversized schoolbags. Now, those bags take up a lot of room on a vehicle that sees overcrowding as one of its biggest concerns. Lucky for them they’re cute; because being smacked in the face with their bags is anything but.
Then there’s the blue rinse set. When they’re not accidently leaning on the bell causing the driver to stop for no reason…they’re making friends. How lovely. It doesn’t seem to matter who with either. It could be the driver, or whoever is within hearing distance, really. But where are they when I have some random next to me trying to a spark conversation, when all I want to do is stare out the window?
Speaking of drivers, sheesh, talk about loving your job! I mean, I’ve never met a bunch of more cheerful, obliging human beings in my life. Their sheer determination to make my day, is enough to make me want to pat them on the back, not punch them in the face.
Yes, folks, meet sarcasm. The only way you’ll ever hear “cheerful human beings” and “bus drivers” in the same sentence. Unless you’re looking at the Transperth website, which states they are “recruiting enthusiastic, friendly people for a rewarding job serving the community” . Mmm, They must still be interviewing.
Anyway, I swear drivers know what we think of them. The way they take off at the lights so fast that everyone standing loses balance. Here’s an idea, rather than getting grumpy when we can’t physically squish any closer, don’t let so many people on in the first place! See that sign in the top left hand corner, driver? Yes, it says ‘this vehicle holds 25 passengers’…
Then again, I’d hate to be a passenger who’s waited all that time for a bus, to then be told “hey folks, we’re full, you’ll have to wait for the next one.” Oh wait - I have been that passenger.
I catch one of the busiest buses out there, the circle route, to both uni and work. I leave half an hour early each time; it’s my leeway in case the bus is late, full, or simply a no-show. Out of the 9,600 timetabled services, and over 1185 buses and trains currently on the Transperth system , you wouldn’t believe the amount of mornings I still rock up late.
Luckily enough, public transport is just that reliable at being unreliable – that getting to work or uni late because of ‘the bus’ is always a legitimate excuse reason. Anyway, I think back to the days in school when the best part about going on excursions was the bus trip. Now days, that joy is gone – and I’ve just booked a driving test.
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