2024-02-20 16:20:53
One of the most common pieces of advice you get when relocating to a big city is, ‘Get a car.’ Where will you wander in such a big city? The arguments given in support of this advice are that the amount of fare paid will be the installment of the car. It is also explained the geography of that area and how difficult it is to use public transport here. Then there is no answer to this argument that if there is an emergency, what will you do, from whom will you ask for a car?
Even today, in the colorful world of metropolitan cities, public transport still has a black and white image. The entire city runs on its power, but its speed itself is dismissed as slow. It has the status of a lifeline, but no one wants to keep it connected to their life. As soon as they get a chance, people start dreaming of getting rid of it. Why this disinterest in public transport? When it has to be adopted then why call it a compulsion, why can’t this journey also be full of joy?
While explaining the philosophy of life, a very common example is given of a car, that balance should be maintained on four wheels. If that vehicle is given shape, it will look like a transport corporation bus or a metro. The colors of life can be seen in every journey made through public means. Many people moving towards the same destination at the same time, but for different reasons. Every such trip is an opportunity to make new friends. There is no hesitation, no ego, no ill will in public transport. Everything is open in this. The biggest opportunity to be public is to travel by public transport.
Many people start wasting their time in the name of public transport. According to them, if you have your own car, then neither distance nor time matters. The steering is in your hands and the speed is under your feet. But, it is also true that always sitting on the driving seat is very tiring. The journey can be enjoyed by handing over the steering to others for some time. While driving, one cannot take one’s eyes off the road when there is so much going on from left to right. Travel as a traveler once. Those paths will start appearing new. You will see many such scenes, which you might have seen in front of you dozens of times before, but due to the burden of steering, you might not have paid attention to them.
As soon as you become a passenger, you are freed from all the worries that a driver has. Then you don’t get angry seeing the traffic jam, you don’t frown when you don’t get a pass, and you don’t get upset when you don’t get parking. One can avoid many responsibilities by using public transport. But, due to this, the biggest responsibility is automatically fulfilled. Responsibility towards the environment.
Public transport teaches us to trust. A traveler leaves the decision of his journey to others. He knows that whatever the path, it will take him to his destination. Even half this belief would be enough to eliminate all other conflicts.
One gets used to adjusting to public transport. The art comes from adjustment. A little trouble then doesn’t bother you. No road seems closed. When all the people around are going in the same direction, then if there is any fear in the heart, it also goes away. The crowd starts to trust.
When former Chicago Mayor R. Emanuel was in his post, he used to take the train to go to office two days a week. He said that many people used to come to him and express their views in this way. According to Emmanuel, ‘This is a great opportunity to make the public feel that they can express their views to their mayor.’ Thus, public transport was a means for American politicians to connect with the public. This is also the specialty of public transport that stops, moves slowly, picks up and drops people, it not only connects the paths but also connects the hearts.
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are the author’s own.