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Published in Kathmandu post, available in this link http://www.ekantipur.com/the-kathmandu-post/2013/04/23/related_articles/new-and-green/247931.html
Ever since the news about resuming service of Sajha Yatayat, Haribansha dai's high octave voice singing “ hami pani huinkiun buini sajha busaima” has been replaying in our hearts over and over again. At a time when public transportation is run by profit minded business cartels, this has been the most positive event of new year 2070.
A surge of excitement passes every time I see new green Sajha bus. But unfortunately, every time I was already inside in heavily packed nilo micro where the size of seat can be increased at the whim of conductor and guruji. So, normal people without zero size figure of a model feel embarrassed every time conductor boy shoves his hand bullying us to move that extra inch aside to fit in another normal size person. Students feel vilified with questioning looks of conductor
who doubts whether every other ID card is fake. Many times, we have seen people with disability been turned away from the vehicle by the driver who neither understand nor respects people's right to mobility. Passengers with small children suffer as much. As soon as a parent enters the vehicle and scrambles along with his/her child towards empty seat, the conductor asks a very tough question, “ is the child on the seat”. Fellow passengers are equally disrespectful. They expect every other child in seat to cuddle in lap of their parents. Pregnant and women with small children are seen standing up aside a man who will be residing in a “mahila seat” without any hint of embarrassment. The interaction between the driver and passengers and passenger's behavior towards each other gives us a miniature glimpse of all things that is wrong with Nepal at the moment. Each person selfishly thinks about oneself alone, disregarding how other people are being effected.
who doubts whether every other ID card is fake. Many times, we have seen people with disability been turned away from the vehicle by the driver who neither understand nor respects people's right to mobility. Passengers with small children suffer as much. As soon as a parent enters the vehicle and scrambles along with his/her child towards empty seat, the conductor asks a very tough question, “ is the child on the seat”. Fellow passengers are equally disrespectful. They expect every other child in seat to cuddle in lap of their parents. Pregnant and women with small children are seen standing up aside a man who will be residing in a “mahila seat” without any hint of embarrassment. The interaction between the driver and passengers and passenger's behavior towards each other gives us a miniature glimpse of all things that is wrong with Nepal at the moment. Each person selfishly thinks about oneself alone, disregarding how other people are being effected.
I am amused whenever my relatives ask “ why aren't you riding scooter”, or better still, “ you can afford second hand car, if you want”. If only they knew. I belong to somewhat rare but common class in Kathmandu, too afraid to ride motorbike, too poor to buy a car. But definitely, there is a strong reason for motorcycle companies going viral with their advertisement showing men on bikes with hot girlfriends behind. They also have urged women to get behind the wheels questioning “why boys should have all the fun?”. Hence, last decade or so, Kathmandu has seen a big surge of private vehicles, particularly motorcycles. The strong reason is non other than sluggish, unreliable and insecure public transportation system. But it is not enough to blame it alone. Unregulated public transportation system run by business houses anywhere has disastrous results unless there is a strong coordinated effort from the Government.
Resuming Sajha service has struck a new wave of nostalgia among Kathmanduits. Sajha was the first vehicle that many of us rode in childhood. It seemed as if it was yesterday that I got off from Sajha bus in Newroad and dragged my father towards Bishalbazzar to ride Nepal's only electronic ladder. Sajha used to offer equally reliable long distance services. My father was comfortable enough to send his two daughters all by themselves to Gorkha because we were riding Sajha bus. Sajha was symbol of trust, reliability and safety. With the advent of restoration of democracy in 2046 B.S, Sajha began to deteriorate due to high political interference and corruption. Though, high enthusiasm on Sajha at present is partly nostalgia but it is more about the urgent need of people friendly public transportation system.
Despite trying, it was only on sixth day of service, I was finally able to experience much awaited Sajha ride. After the end of meeting at Patan Dhoka in evening, my colleague Sangram Lama declared“ aja jasari pani sajha bus chadne ho”. Me and other friend Ashalal Tamang joined in his anticipation and asked if anyone would care to join us. Other academics present watched us with bemused smile as if we were children. Perhaps we sounded like one in anticipation. We headed straight towards the nearby Sajha Bus office and inquired about the available routes. Then, we moved towards Krishna galli bus stop and it felt as if we were waiting for long lost childhood friend after many years. A small crowd of Sajha enthusiast grew around us. We waited nearly 20 minutes but it didn't matter as we were engrossed in exchanging our Sajha memories. Each time, other public vehicles stopped in front of us, we stood nonchalantly as if to mean “your monopoly doesn't exist anymore”. It felt so good to enter the Sajha bus from automated door behind. It reminded me of safe reliable bus service of Melbourne. I fully agree with Kanakmani Dixit, President of Sajha Yatayat when he said, “ the civilization of the city is reflected not by the number of people in cars but in well managed people friendly public transportation system”.
Resuming of Sajha has brought a glimmer of hope among people. It should be able to set a new standard and norms of public transportation. May be someday, we will see wheelchair users getting into the bus easily after the driver switches the button to release the special ramp for them. Perhaps there will be special seats for pregnant women and parents carrying small children. Even if not, people will have enough sense to leave the seats for people who are in need of them. May be one day, we will have a schedule of different routes by the bus stand and we can trust that the bus will arrive in time and take us where we need to go. Perhaps, one day, people will leave their Pazeros and Bajaj at home and take public ride to work because it is more secure, reliable and affordable. I know its a far fetched dream. But one is allowed to dream, doesn't one?
