Basic Etiquettes To Follow On A KSTRC Bus
Lovingly referred to as the ‘God’s Own Country’, Kerala indeed is a serene paradise nestled in the embrace of nature and is also known for its rich culture and warm hospitality.
While there is more than one way to explore and discover the treasures of this charming land, public buses do ensure a unique journey through the diverse landscape through an immersive experience of exploring this tiny southwestern state by road.
Besides the romanticized reasons mentioned above, there are several other reasons why Keralites consider public buses to be a lifeline in the state.
The hikes in petrol and diesel prices have left them with no choice other than to reduce their fuel consumption, while underpaid jobs and the vast employment gap have again given them more reasons to opt for public transportation while travelling within the state or country.
Yes, we do have our “extravagant” Indian Railways at our service day and night. However, due to a very low probability of getting a last-minute reservation and the very high probability of missing the train because the railway authorities have sent you the wrong platform details, more and more people have switched their mode of transportation to buses in the state.
Be it your regular shuttle to the workplace or a much-awaited weekend getaway to the hills, you know public buses have got your back! Also, not having to burn a hole in your pocket for travel is what happiness looks like for a lot of people these days. Though a few are poorly maintained, the unmatched connectivity, affordability and reliability of state-owned buses have surely helped thousands of regular passengers and travellers transit from one location to the other.
However, travelling in buses also comes with certain unspoken rules that are often followed by Malayalees in a KSRTC(Kerala State Road Transport Corporation)that you must be aware of and if you have never heard of it, then here’s all that you need to know!
Reservations Exist
Certain seats in the KSRTC may be reserved for various groups of people like women, pregnant ladies, senior citizens, etc. This ensures the safety and comfort of these vulnerable passengers while travelling on the bus. So do not get offended if you have to give up your seat for people belonging to the categories mentioned above. Though it may seem unfair, please remember that these reservations are in place for a reason and yes, it may sometimes feel like discrimination.
Different Doors Serve Different Purposes
KSRTC buses generally have two entry and exit points. Though they may look similar, they exist for different reasons. These doors become a gender-based separation as women often use the front door while men take the rear. The seats are also occupied similarly.
However, this is not mandatory and you can use any of the doors and seats as you prefer, as long as nobody feels threatened or uncomfortable by your presence. But if you’re someone who prioritises personal space and privacy, choose your doors wisely.
Do Not Pull Down Your Zipper
This is especially true for predatory men who think they can be a pervert and get away with it. Think twice before you go forward because women NO LONGER put up with this kind of harassment and before you know it, you would be in jail.
Make Sure to Carry a Change
Getting into a KSRTC with just the bigger currencies may earn you a few scornful looks from the bus conductor. Well, you can not blame him/her because it can be challenging to manage passengers travelling on the same bus without smaller denominations and it is not humanely possible for conductors to carry a lot of loose change.
Conductor Is Your Friend
If you are unsure about anything regarding your journey to your destination, (like making sure you are getting down at the right stop) or if you are being bothered by something, you’ll always have the bus conductor to sort things out for you!
Be Kind
It is easy to ignore the pregnant lady without a seat or an old man struggling to balance his posture while standing. However, such gestures not only tell a lot about you but will also motivate more people to do the same. After all, kindness is certainly contagious!
Share the Weight
If you’ve got the privilege of a seat in a heavily packed bus, and the person standing next to you has a backpack, offer a helping hand by allowing them to place their bag in the legroom or your lap(if there is enough space). This ain’t compulsory but is still a part of being generous and humane.
Stick to Minimal PDA
As a society, we have come a long way and we certainly still have a lot to learn. However, public spaces demand a certain decorum and this is applicable while expressing love as well. Sometimes the way you choose to express your feelings in public spaces may be met with mixed reactions! So it’s important to keep a low profile when you are travelling with your partner as unnecessary PDA may lead to public humiliation and legal issues which of course, is another hassle that most of us would like to stay away from!
Travelling is fun, and often it is the journey that changes the course of our lives, rather than the destination. Besides that, if you prefer local experiences, you must embrace the local etiquette of the place for a memorable and life-changing journey.
