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| : It has really become difficult for commuters to get a bus in time. The buses are so overcrowded that it becomes impossible to even climb onto the steps. The state government should find a way to resolve the demand for fare hike. Suyesha Kanungoe, Southend Garden, Garia |
I am 75 years old and it’s been almost 14 years since I retired. I am now scared of stepping outside my apartment unless absolutely necessary, the primary reason being the hazard of overcrowded buses (Where have all the buses gone? January 9). On such occasions when I have had to ride a bus in recent times, the journey has been quite painful. I have been pushed to this side and that by commuters in their rush for a seat. Rash driving and sudden slamming of brakes only make it worse. I am always scared of falling down and hurting myself. Getting off the bus is also difficult, what with so many people being forced to stand on the footboard and several others waiting to get in. The blame for this nightmarish experience of passengers lies with the transport department. Successive governments have done precious little to mitigate the sufferings of commuters by increasing the number of buses and introducing double-decker buses so that more passengers can be accommodated. I hope the chief minister will look into the problem and take steps to ease the woes of millions of people.
P.B. Saha,
Salt Lake
Ever since my school days, I have mostly travelled by bus and rarely by auto or Metro. Earlier, I would really enjoy the bus rides but not any longer. Now I scared of taking bus. I have to wait for hours for a bus and when one arrives, it is usually so crowded that one gets crushed and suffocated. Often, I have reached my destination late or ended up spending double the amount just to ensure I am not late.
Averi Neogi,
Moulali
The recent bus strike had left commuters in distress. Given the hike in fuel price, the demand of bus operators is perhaps not unjustified. In other states I have been to — Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala — the chief mode of transport for common people are state government buses and not private buses. The maintenance of buses there would put the Bengal transport department to shame. So if other states can run the transport system efficiently, why not the Bengal government? Unless the transport department takes charge, harassment of commuters will continue.
Mihir Kanungo,
Sahid Ananta Dutta Sarani
I am a student of Maharaja Manindra Chandra College in Shyambazar and we had our selection test on the day of the bus strike. But I was lucky to get a WBSTC bus and reached college quite easily.
Hiranmoy Dutta,
Salt Lake
Taxi torment
I had gone to Park Street recently with my family for dinner and while returning I had the most harrowing experience. I was refused by almost 20 taxis (No-refusal cab? Count till 72, December 20). None of them would go to Dunlop Rathtala. Finally, after over an hour, one agreed to go till Shyambazar. On reaching Shyambazar, the same story unfolded again. After waiting for almost 15 minutes and being refused by at least five cabs, I spotted a white and blue taxi with no refusal and same fare written. I felt relieved at the thought that my ordeal had ended. I hailed the taxi and asked “Dunlop Rathtala jaben to? (Will you go to Dunlop Rathtala?)”. I was shocked when the driver nodded his head to say “no”. When I pleaded with him, the cabbie demanded Rs 250 extra. This is the conversation that followed:
Me: Keno? “No refusal” lekha achhe (Why? The taxi has “no refusal” written on it)
Cabbie: Bhule jaan seta (forget about that)
Me: Ami police dakbo (I’ll call the cops)
Cabbie: Ja korar ichcha korun (Do what you please).
The cabbie drove away but I managed to click a few pictures so that I could note down the registration number (WB04F 8861). After another 10 minutes, I found a taxi that agreed to go for Rs 50 extra.
Atul Kr. Agarwal,
MM Feeder Road
Taxi trauma has become a daily drama now. Here’s what I encountered recently:
Place: SN Banerjee Road
Destination: Sukeas Street
1st driver: “I won’t go.”
2nd driver: “Only passengers, no luggage.”
Five taxis refused to go before my uncle and I decided to walk up to Lenin Sarani, where a cabbie agreed to take us to our destination but not without Rs 100 extra. We had no choice as we had a five-month-old baby with us and couldn’t wait any longer.
A Neogi
I have had many bad experiences with taxi drivers, specially when travelling short distances. My office is at Minto Park and my home at Lansdowne Paddapukur and it’s impossible to get a cab. I have stopped trying. A few days ago, I had gone to Lake Mall to buy groceries. I was carrying quite a few packets but failed to get a single taxi. Finally, I took an auto till Deshapriya Park from where I had to take a bus.
Bhavya Talsania
Taxi refusal is rampant in Calcutta. As a commuter, when a taxi refuses me, I feel helpless because there’s hardly anything I can do. I usually need a taxi from Beckbagan to Rashbehari around 5.30pm but most cabbies refuse on one pretext or another. I have no choice but to take it in my stride as complaining to cops would only lead to further harassment.
Sanjay Agarwal
Yes, taxi refusal is a common problem in Calcutta. The introduction of no-refusal taxis is a welcome move. The transport minister should also ensure that errant taxi drivers are punished for refusing passengers. Sometimes, they demand exorbitant fares. The situation worsens after evening and commuters are at the mercy of the whims and fancies of taxi drivers.
Indranil Sanyal,
Kali Bari Lane, Dhakuria
Taxi trauma is a nagging phenomenon in Calcutta. I hope introduction of no-refusal cabs can solve the problem.
Prahlad Agarwala
I have been a victim of taxi torment on several occasions but one particular instance comes to mind. It was during my Class XII board exams in March 2013. I had my English examination that day. I had left the house a bit late and had only half an hour left to reach the exam venue. A bus ride would take at least 40-45 minutes, so my parents decided to take a taxi. But no taxi driver was ready to go. Time was running out and I was getting anxious. Luckily, a lady noticed us panicking, stopped her cab and gave us a lift. I take this opportunity to thank the lady for being so kind and helpful. The launch of no-refusal taxis is surely going to be a boon for the people of Calcutta and hopefully we will not be harassed in times of emergency.
Payal Prasad,
1st year, The Bhawanipur Education Society College
It is really good to know that no-refusal cabs have been launched. Taxi refusal is a punishable offence and police must take strict action.
Priyankar Mukherjee
Auto raj
The efforts to rein in truant auto drivers (Trinamul meet to ‘discipline’ autos, January 8) is a big joke. None of the steps taken by transport minister Madan Mitra has yielded any result so far. Unregistered autos continue to ply and run on kata tel.
A.S. Mehta
This is the first time I am writing to Metro. The hike in auto fares is indeed disturbing. If the government and the transport minister are not competent to tackle the issue, they might as well step down.
Nishant Mishra
Metro boon
The fare hike has undoubtedly reduced the jostling crowd and made the rides more comfortable and secure (How different has your Metro journey been after the fare hike? December 2). But just when I thought that Metro rides had become pleasant, there came a snag.
Shubhalina Singha Roy,
Scottish Church College
After the fare hike, Metro rides have become peaceful. I hope this environment-friendly journey will remain attractive in years to come.
P Agarwal,
Majdia, Nadia
Metro rides are now definitely less suffocating and commuting is a lot more comfortable compared with a month back. The fare hike has reduced the crowd crush. Now the journey from Kavi Nazrul to Park Street is a lot less frustrating and sometimes I am even blessed enough to get a seat despite the morning rush.
Saadia Sitwat,
Garia
Traffic chaos
Green light to south fringe flyover (January 11) is a welcome development. But it would be wrong to blame the traffic chaos of Budge Budge Trunk Road on the width of the road or high traffic volume alone. It is as much about violation of traffic rules. Unlicensed two-wheelers, illegal vanos,white autos and commercial vehicles, encroachments and illegal parking are some of the problems. Trucks clog the road in the Mollar Gate area, where there are quite a few godowns. I suggest the area is brought under the jurisdiction of Calcutta police. That alone can bring some order. We have seen what difference it has made on Diamond Harbour Road in Behala.
Tapan Pal,
Batanagar
Train travel
In response to Tracks blocked (January 10), I would like to share my own experience of travelling by local trains. There are no trains from Bidhannagar station between 7pm and 7.25pm and again from 8pm to 8.20pm and this leads to heavy rush during office hours. I request the authorities to introduce 12-bogey trains or increase the frequency to tackle the problem.
Sangeeta Malani,
Batanagar
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