I am just back in my lab after an hour of getting jostled around in what is the largest environment-friendly bus service in the world. Having grown up with the city, it feels really good to write that. Only if one has experienced the rude congestion of a private bus can he /she relate to the luxury in a DTC. No, the crowd is very much there, sometimes close to 150 people crushed into each other, stomping on each other's feet, tugging at whatever support they can find, reading the body language of the person sitting on the closest seat - prepared to jump on it as soon as it is vacated. Its only in the DTC that you will be readily offered a window seat, and one is tempted to remark 'Aah! Dilwaalon ki Dilli!', but let me assure you, there's absolutely no affection in that act. Twenty years since I came here, I still cant figure out why that happens.
Although the DTC does test your patience sometimes with its absurdly slow speeds and the now-pretty-common rude drivers, more often that not, its worth the wait. For one, it is usually on time, people are slightly better-mannered inside it (another of those inexplicable things!), it doesn't wait till eternity at every bus stop and you are assured to read your destination smoothly. It also gives you that old-world feeling - this is tough to describe and has to be experienced.
My most memorable experiences of travelling in the DTCs have happened in the U-specials during College days. From carefully slipping into it without getting noticed by the seniors during ragging in first year to applauding the lone guitarist strumming away in the mornings during winter - travelling in the Special is just that - special.
That the organisation has been running on huge losses for the last God-knows-how-many years is a pity. I strongly believe that the charges for bus passes, especially for students, should be doubled to start with.
The latest addition to it fleet is the High capacity bus. After a controversial start, it is now running smoothly in South and Central Delhi, with extensions towards East. The buses look good, some are air-conditioned, normal fare is charged and the journey is really comfortable.
All in all, one public service that Delhiites should be proud of. Hats off!
7 comments:
Aaaaah. Nostalgia! :)
absolutely!
i wud never know the bliss of these dayschis comin to college in DTCs
i really enjoy visiting ur blog ranga!
@ Sujaan
This is one of the few things dayskis can boast of, though I confess it is nothing compared to the fun in Rez.
Thanks for your last line, I will treasure it!
Nice read. but why not rty explainning all the things that u do feel ranga?such as the old world charm or reasons for a better gentry?wud be fun to investigate.
@ Maaz
I will surely give it a post. And I was in a hurry to reach my lab in time, so had to rush through the ode to DTC :)
Thanks for ur comment!
Very well described ranga! Although I haven't travelled in buses in Delhi anywhere close to the number of times u would have, I still recognize these little anecdotes u have mentioned...the window seat being give up...hehe ya!! No idea why tht happens...maybe people want to sit on the aisle so that getting out is easier when you have to rush as your stop approaches!! And and the U-speical...ive travelled maybe 5-6 times during MSc...n i know what you are talking about :)
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