------------------------------------------------------- We must demand that Public Transport in Goa becomes 'Comfortable, Affordable and Safe'. Do GOACAN a favour, print & circulate this email to your family members, relatives, neighbours and friends this Sunday. ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------- Documented by Goa Desc Resource Centre (GDRC) Email: [email protected] ------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------- Making Public Transport Commuter Friendly ----------------------------------------------------- It feels good to read the slogan; 'Car pool today or walk to your destination tomorrow' displayed on most Kadamba Transport Corporation buses.Every bus commuter is forced to travel in overcrowded buses with just enough space to stand on one foot.
These buses then become an ideal source of infection not only for various respiratory diseases as they are spread by the act coughing and sneezing but also skin diseases, and in such overcrowded buses almost all the commuters are at risk of infection. It would be advisable for the Kadamba transport authorities to increase the number of buses (at least during peak hour 8 a.m. to 9 a.m.) so as to limit the number of standing passengers, or to arrange for separate buses from KTC Panaji to the Goa Medical College/Hospital since that would ease a lot of problems of sick children, pregnant women, orthopaedic patients, physically challenged, elderly patients etc. This would also enable them to board the buses peacefully as they climb the rather high footboards of these buses. This strain during climbing can be extremely dangerous for people who are advised to avoid activities that would cause an increased intra-abdominal pressures leading to complications (e.g. hernias, ruptures, etc). Climbing onto these high footboards can be harmful in certain pregnancy related and other medical conditions too. It is a pitiful sight to behold. I hope the new buses will have their footboards a little lower for strain free and comfortable boarding. These new buses should ideally have two doors, and the seating arrangement separate for men and women. Reserved seats for the physically challenged and the senior citizens should also be increased. 'No smoking/spitting' is already displayed inside these buses. I guess it is time to add another sign which would say 'Cover your nose and mouth whilst coughing/sneezing'. Buses may also be provided with bins. Also it would be nice if the conductors wore their identity badges at all times so as to be rewarded for their good work or lack thereof. If we can improve our public transport and make it commuter friendly and hygienic, I am sure more people would prefer to travel by bus and the slogan 'save fuel today for a better tomorrow' would definitely have an impact. If any politician fancies a personal surprise visit to the KTC bus terminus and addresses the issues that concern thousands of commuters everyday, I am certain that his gesture would be sufficient not just for votes but also to make him Goa's hero for life. Delia D'Souza. (The writer is a medical practitioner practicing at GMC, Bambolim) -------------------------------------------------------- Reader's Angle in The Navhind Times 15/4/09 page 10 -------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------ GOA CIVIC AND CONSUMER ACTION NETWORK ----------------------------------------------------------- promoting civic and consumer rights in Goa ----------------------------------------------------------- GOACAN Post Box 187 Margao, Goa 403 601 GOACAN Post Box 78 Mapusa, Goa 403 507 mailto: [email protected] ----------------------------------------------------------
