CEO Sinking Transport Company-4

The passenger’s woes do not stop here. Even after getting in, he is not sure of keeping both his feet on the floor of the bus. Occupying a seat is out of question. Even in that situation the conductor tries to infuse confidence among the passengers. He shouts saying that there is enough space inside to play football. His mission is important. He continues to accommodate almost all passengers waiting outside. However, the passenger develops his own strategy to get into the bus.

Once he sights the bus and confirms the destination, he joins the crowd and aligns himself to the entrance of the bus. He seizes the opportunity provided by the mad rush for boarding. All along he keeps his position aligned to the entrance and asks others to surge forward. He makes no effort to move and waste his energy. Just like a wave carrying a person or log of wood to the shore effortlessly and on its own, the enterprising among the passengers surge forward near the entrance. When the alignment takes place perfectly he just moves forward catapulted by the thrust of the crowd into the seat near the aisle of the bus.
Syphilius himself tries this technique of gaining entry into the vehicle. Many who see him waiting outside have come earlier. But they find themselves helpless to gain entry. They are surprised to see him, a latecomer, gliding into the bus with ease and precision.

Sometimes passengers befriend the conductor. On sighting the familiar bus they get ready, as though, for a cross-country race. The dirver under instructions from the conductor slows down the vehicle at the stop but suddenly picks up speed and stops 200 meters away. Men with agile bodies run fast and get inside. The old and the infirm lose the race. Even if they run they miss the bus as it speeds away after taking in the preferred passengers. Thus some passengers score an advantage over elderly persons. Often they travel in the opposite direction to secure a seat in an empty bus at the disembarking point. They remain in the bus, which returns after a short interval. Of course they pay extra fare for the journey.

Syphilius introduces a luxury coach marked Thunderbolt (TB) known for its comfort, speed and punctuality, though these were occasional achievements. Passengers reserve their seats. Once passengers wait for thirty minutes for the TB but are amazed to see a four-wheeled monster with a name board marked Thunder Bolt approaching them. It is a rickety, leaky ordinary large bucket on wheels with condemned seats and peeled of paint. The reason was ascertained. The regular TB running on the route broke down and the official sent an ordinary bus as substitute. On the way it halted at several places.

A look at the bus does not inspire confidence about the capacity to take them to the destination safely and on time. There is no alternative and the passengers board the bus. They know that the fare for travel by this bus should be only one fourth of that of TB. They expect refund of the difference but as per rules the conductor cannot return any amount. While the victim complains ,the authorities reply that the passengers should be grateful for arranging an alternative transport. That is the exemplary service of the TB under the able stewardship of Syphilius. (To be continued)