Have you ever been to south east Asia and taken public transportation? If so you may have found yourself asking the same question I find myself asking each time I find myself on a local bus.
“Can this bus seriously fit more people?”
The answer is always without a doubt a Yes. Even when all seats are filled they will pick up more. Even when the entire aisle is filled with standing people they will pick up more. Even when the crowd goes down the stairs to the door and they cant close the door because people are literally hanging out holding on for dear life I promise you, they will pick up more…. It’s actually truly impressive.
And as you stand there sandwiched in between two complete strangers just praying nobody “cops a feel” you start to think “what is actually going to happen when someone has to get off in the back? Do people even get off or do we just constantly pick people up?” It’s truly quite the experience.
I write this because if you do find yourself in southeast Asia and needing public transit there is a few things you may want to know so here’s a list.
1. Getting on the bus is NOT the time to be nice– If your like me you may find yourself more times than not stepping aside and saying “oh please you go first” well although that’s great this is Not the time. I promise you will be pushed and shoved and next thing you know your fighting your way just to be the poor soul hanging out of the door, but don’t hold your own and you will find yourself waiting ALL day.
2. Figure out when you pay and how much before you enter– Sometimes there will be a man collecting cash hanging on the door, sometimes it will be a drop box and trust me you don’t want to find yourself squeezing through the “in” door because you didn’t pay when you got on. Nor do you want to be the chump asking for change as the herd makes its way in the door. They will no joke give 20 people approximately 6 seconds to enter and pay and then they continue whether ur fully in or not. (Talk about time is money)
3. Know when to sit and when to stand– If you get on and for some gift from God there is an open seat Take It! But there are some common rules to follow as well. Always give your seat to the elderly, or women with a small child. NO EXCUSES! (If you want to respect culture I also highly suggest adding monks to that list as well) If someone is holding bags offer to hold them in your seat or give them your seat. It will be better for you and everyone in the long run as the bus is very go and stop and nobody enjoys a bag of rice to the face. And if a local offers you a seat just take it, they dont take no for an answer, they probably assume we are newbies to the bus life and lets be honest in these conditions we are..
4. Don’t be afraid to ask a local for help– Trust me, especially if its your first time doing the route you will really only be about 25% positive you know your stop, going in the right direction, or even on the right bus. But People are incredible and always willing to offer some sort of help. Even the times I clearly asked the person who doesn’t speak a lick of English odds are 1 of the 200 people on the bus will and for some reason they always know exactly who that person is. The fun times I’ve gotten to experience this I find it not annoying to them but they actually enjoy it and turn it into a little bus game. We are all just sitting staring anyway might as well have some fun and make some friends!
5. Prepare to exit 1 bus stop ahead of yours– This is really important when the bus is packed. You will literally have to fight, push, and squeeze your way to the door so give yourself plenty of time! Like I said pick up and drop offs happen within 6 seconds and you don’t want to get stuck in the sea of people and miss your stop because you were lollygagging.
I hope this list doesn’t intimidate or scare you from trying this once in a lifetime experience. It truly is a thrilling time running and jumping onto a moving bus, feeling like a human sardine packed in, and squeezing your way around as you pray you didn’t just miss your stop. It is also quite humbling, when your on the bus you are all the same, none more important than the next. Just a group of people fighting for survival in a uncomfortable position relying on each other to move forward not ever really knowing if your heading in the right direction. Know that I put it like that its kinda just like life. So don’t miss out of this wild, unpredictable, thrilling Asian bus ride we call life.
