My Concern for Bus Drivers and Conductors

"Oh my God! When will this driver and his conductor drive us off from this bus stop? Must they pick all their passengers at this spot? He will surely get passengers at other bus stops"

If you are a typical Nigerian and especially a Lagos person, you should be very familiar with the lines up there; passengers' complaints!

I wouldn't know if it's the same in other countries but you will bear me witness that being involved in Nigerian commercial transportation can be a tiring and debilitating experience especially in places like Lagos.

Our daily efforts are all in a bid to make ends meet. We have a lot to do and time is sure not on our side. Therefore, everybody seems to be in a hurry making it look like the bus drivers and conductors are wasting our time. We have become so used to hastiness that even when we have no urgent appointment, we still rush and put pressure on them!

Commercial drivers and conductors are of different types. Some are wicked while some are kind. Meanwhile, they also deal with passengers with different emotions on daily basis. There are the frustrated ones, the calm, the confused, the complainers, the proud, the humble and many more. However, irrespective of these differences, the drivers and conductors ruggedly cope with them all.

As passengers, we believe we suffer too much in the hands of these road workers which is to some extent true but it is quite obvious that they suffer in our hands as well.

Attacking drivers and conductors is something we are beginning to consider as normal. We pick quarrels with them at every slightest offense. 

Sometimes we do it because we are truly justified and we don't want to be cheated or seen as a fool. Other times, we do it on purpose because we want to feel among. That is, when other passengers are complaining and murmuring, we also want to talk so that people will know we can talk too. Sometimes, we do it because deep down inside of us, we feel we are better than them and so they should be treated as subordinates and less important people. But have you ever considered that these conductors and drivers are also striving to make ends meet just like you and they are a boss at their profession just the way you are a boss at yours? 

Have you also imagined what it feels like to 'hang' on the doorway of a speeding bus for many kilometers? Yes, you are not the cause of their predicament (if at all it's a predicament) but that should not make them become our doormats. Besides, not all of them are happy with their situation.

One day, I was sitting in a bus at the bus stop while the conductor was trying to get more passengers. At first, my heart wasn't still and I was becoming quite impatient. My eyes were so fixed on the conductor as he moved up and down trying to hijack passengers to come into his bus. Meanwhile, other bus conductors were also there trying to get passengers. So, there seems to be a kind of competition as to whose bus gets filled first. I could see how their neck veins got stretched as they shout to call passengers. Some were sweating in the head while earning long hisses, insulting looks and abusive words from people who felt disturbed by their forceful calls. All of a sudden, my anger and impatience became neutralized and replaced with deep compassion for them. I was greatly moved with tears seeing how they were struggling to ensure money is made.  Then I questioned myself; "If I do not patiently wait for this man to fully load his bus, how am I helping his life? It practically means I'm shortchanging him of his income. What will my complaints and pressure do to his pocket and what will be my own gain? My mentality about them automatically changed since that day. 

You will agree with me that many are the insults, abuses and curses these people receive on daily basis from passengers, both young and old. Sometimes, I shake my head in pity when I see how some young boys and girls abuse older conductors and drivers just because of something very insignificant.

Of course, I can understand that some of these road workers are extremely wayward, rugged and abusive in their conversations and this can make us think they do not deserve our honor, respect, patience and love.  

Nevertheless, we must understand that they are human like us and they deserve to be treated with love and respect regardless. Be considerate!

Although they are vulgar in their language, our harsh response won't make any difference neither will it add value to our own lives. In fact, arguing and dragging words with drivers and conductors is like setting yourself up for mockery because you can never win them when it comes to abuses and insults. Be kind to them. 

The nature of someone's work should not be the reason why you would look down on them or make them feel inferior because somehow, that work is a solution to a problem in the world no matter how little it appears. Everybody's work is important and as a matter fact, we all need ourselves to survive. 

Our mentality about drivers and conductors needs to change. Deal with them with patience and understanding. It will take nothing away from you. Respect them and respect their occupation. Watch your words whenever you are in conversation with them. 

Allow drivers and conductors to feel at ease with their work too. Don't rush them. You may be tired and very anxious to just get home in time and catch some rest. But still, patience will bring you a lot of tranquility. Sometimes, delay has a lot of blessings hidden in it. Moreover, you won't be in transit forever. Think about the fact that you have limited time with conductors and drivers. Don't create a chaotic scene with something that won't matter in the next few hours. 

When you are dealing with them, close your eyes, take a deep breath and imagine that you are in their office patiently waiting for them to answer you. 

Everyone is unique and equally important. Humanity should not be dependent on class, profession or social status. 

Let us consider Romans 12:16 in different Bible versions.

(ICB version) says "Live together in peace with each other. Do not be proud, but make friends with those who seem unimportant. Do not think how smart you are"

(CEB version) "Consider everyone as equal, and don't think that you're better than anyone else. Instead, associate with people who have no status. Don't think that you're so smart".

(BBE version) Be in harmony with one another. Do not have a high opinion of yourselves, but be in agreement with common people. Do not give yourselves an air of wisdom.

Peace must reign in our community. Spread the news.