Essay Example on Bus Station Bustle: 60 People, 20 in Line, Uphill Task Ahead

Introduction

At the bus station, there are a lot of people waiting to catch the bus. Approximately 60 people are waiting to catch the bus to various destinations. Of the mentioned number, only about 20 people are in the queue. The others are merely standing about at the bus station. It is early in the morning and the bus station is full of activities as people hope to get to their destinations as fast as possible. The unconvincing queue would certainly make boarding of the bus an uphill task. Most people are insistent that the people who arrive late should go to the back of the queue. However, the majority of the new potential passengers move to the front arguing that nobody has the authority to direct them since everyone has equal powers at the station. The result would certainly led to chaotic boarding since the haste supersedes the desire of order. The situation escalates quite fast since some people physically attempt to prevent others from jumping the line. The physical encounter escalates as the bus arrives with many people trying to block the passengers attempting to jump the line. Other go ahead to even smear chewing gum on his bag and jacket as a way of registering their disgust. The result is total chaos that other people take advantage of to jump the line.

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Activities and Interaction of the People as they wait for the Bus

The bust stop is exceedingly busy. There is an unceasing inflow and outflow of people and buses. The overcrowding of the place is easily noticeable. Most of the buses are packed to capacity. The stuffing of the people and commodities is reminiscent to the old era when the scarcity of transport vehicles was an accepted fact. However, in the contemporary setting, the buses would be sufficient judging by the number, but the population surge is apparently responsible for the noted shortages. The situation gives credence to the saying 'the more things change the more they remain the same.' I silently concur as I wait for my turn to board the next available bus. The condition of the women, the infirm, and the old is spiteful, but life has to go on amidst the raging confusion and perplexity. There are no reservations for special category passengers like the ones mentioned. People sit haphazardly and there is no observation on any rules on reservation. Confusion reigns supreme.

The buses commence their operations in the morning (mostly at 6 am). The early office goers are normally the first people to catch the buses. The rush increases as the day advances. The booking windows have long queues. Most of the people glower at their watches incessantly as they await their turns to be served. The boredom is evident, particularly when a bus delays. Some people spend much of their time in magazines and newspapers while a formidable fraction of the passengers stare at their phones. A few people engage in political discussions. Gossip seems to be the most dominant conversational paradigm. The presence of refreshments helps the hungry and the thirsty regale themselves. The beggars also take advantage of the crowding. They either beg out rightly or sing to impress the potential donors.

The arrival of a bus signals the beginning of chaos. The passengers rush in earnest to board. Breaking of the queue is an accepted fact. The scramble between the alighting and the boarding passengers gives a picture of deep confusion and a bit of incivility. The struggle is real. The vendors also take advantage of the human traffic to sell their wares. The pickpockets take advantage of the situation to earn a living. After all, it is survival for the fittest. Many people lose their luggage, but haste leaves humans with little or no humanity. Everyone cares less for the welfare of the other. The reckless and the rash passengers even crush the children and trample on the old. Standing there, I honestly questioned the fact that humans are the most advanced species on earth. It is hard to believe under the circumstances. I watched the proceedings in utter astonishment.

At the counter, the security personnel stand to help restore and maintain a degree of order. The heavy traffic means that the people have to queue to get service. A long line snakes towards the boarding bay. The people in the line have to cover their heads to guard against the scotching effects of the sun. Water bottles and occasional use of cameras is rampant. The regulation of the lines (by the guards) mainly happens when it becomes lumpy. The guards at time chastise people. Just like the metro station, the bus stop has heavy police presence. Private guards also help in maintain security.

The queue depicts inert discrimination based on certain parameters, albeit subtle. Gender, class, and age differentiate the passengers as they queue to catch a bus. From the outside, passengers are unified by their condition. The apparent existence of structural homogeneity supersedes the existing internal heterogeneity. The presence of institutional force as marked by the existence of the police and guards constitutes the subject within and order in the queue. The ticketing structure produces the unnecessary discrimination. The people who join the queue have the natural acceptance of the prefabricated discrimination that is existent but hard to notice. The essential qualities and the personal features of the people in the queue have little bearing on the goings-on in the bust stop. The unification of the individuals seems to allow the perception of each individual into a serial unit identifiable by the ticket he or she holds.

How to Maintain the Queue

From the outside, passengers are unified by their condition. The apparent existence of structural homogeneity supersedes the existing internal heterogeneity. The presence of institutional force as marked by the existence of the guards constitutes the subject within and order in the queue. The ticketing structure produces the unnecessary jostling but is a prerequisite for order. The people who join the queue have the natural acceptance of the prefabricated discrimination that is existent but hard to notice. The essential qualities and the personal features of the people in the queue have little bearing on the goings-on in the bust stop. The unification of the individuals seems to allow the perception of each individual into a serial unit identifiable by the ticket he or she holds. People fight to get their place first, and show little care for the once that they found at the bus stop. Children and women, regardless of race, pass with a particular degree of ease. I later learnt that such constitute the routine, and that station follows the natural order where the vulnerable board first. The maintenance of the queue requires discipline and self-sacrifice for order.