Public Transport in Goa: The Roadblocks to a Greener, Safer Future

Heloise Angie Barretto

Recently, the Hon’ble Chief Minister requested that people use public transport in order to reduce traffic congestion and the number of accidents in the state. While this is certainly one of the best ways to ensure public safety and regulate traffic, it is also a noble initiative for the environment. By using public transport, we would significantly contribute to reducing carbon and other emissions, fuel consumption, and, overall, help create a more breathable atmosphere around us.

However, these things are easier said than done. Before we look into the prospects of a potential green future with fewer accidents, we must examine why people do not use public transport in the first place.

Last Friday, I stood in line at the shuttle service booth in Panaji to purchase a ticket to Vasco. Not only was I standing in line for nearly an hour (due to the lack of buses plying between Vasco and Panaji), but there was no discernible queue. People were shoving and pushing each other like it was another day in elementary school. Now, I expect such behaviour in schools because children there are still developing social skills. But to see adults cutting in line is not only disappointing, it is outright enraging. After a long working day, we all just want to go home peacefully. The employees of KTCL are usually very helpful, but even they do nothing to enforce these simple rules. I don’t believe that such things stem from formal education. Following rules in public spaces must be enforced regardless of one’s literacy status.

Secondly, it is called “public transport”—transport meant for the people, not their excess luggage. I see many passengers loading tools, paint cans, large boxes, etc., onto the buses, and this is very inconvenient for other passengers. We cannot expect passengers to willingly share space with a basket of sardines. I am not implying that vendors should be barred from traveling on buses, and I am aware that city buses are not designed to accommodate larger items of luggage. But this behaviour cannot be overlooked, as everyone should realize that, besides a small bag that can be carried personally, no other luggage items should be allowed in a public bus.

This brings me to the next issue: overcrowding. The tradition of men offering their seats to women is now part of a bygone era, and I’m okay with standing, but I draw the line at having to share my personal space with a stranger. I did not pay the fare to have another person—regardless of gender—make physical contact with me. This issue has long been overlooked as something to "put up with" if one wants to use public buses, but it has to stop. The number of people in a bus per commute must be strictly regulated.

Lastly, there is the issue of infrequent buses. Everyone’s time is precious, and generally, people who rely on public transport to travel to their workplaces are the ones who arrive the earliest. We often commend such people for their punctuality, but the truth is, they have no choice. They either have to take that one particular bus leaving their locality at 6 AM to reach their workplace by 7 AM (for an 8 AM job), or they risk cutting it too close if they wait for the next one, which leaves at 7 AM. This shouldn’t be expected of average salarymen either. Traveling to the workplace shouldn’t be a test of one’s loyalty and dedication. Punctuality can be maintained without having to rob people of two to three hours of their daily lives.

We have grown used to all of this, and we see the productivity of our state in various fields. Yet we aren’t exactly excelling. We are tired, drained, and lack ambition. There are definitely other factors at play here, but just this one thing—regulating public transport—could be a boon to thousands of students, trainees, and workers who have few other travel options.

I understand that we are a small state, but surely, that shouldn’t be a reason to inconvenience thousands of commuters. People do take time to learn and follow rules, but I think this is the right way to ensure that more people will turn to public transport for their daily commute. Simply saying it won’t get the job done. The public needs to witness firsthand that we in Goa are capable of running an efficient, well-maintained, and timely public transport system before they decide to rely on it. I am confident that in time, we can achieve this, because I do believe in people.