TROSKI DIARIES (1)

  GOOD ROADS VS. BAD CARS

Poor state of roads in our country have been a source of worry to many Ghanaians when it comes to road safety. We are quick to blame government anytime there are road accidents but then have we thought of commercial vehicles that ply these roads? The conditions of most of such cars are terribly questionable. If you happen to board a troski on rainy day with the hope of finding solace, I’m sorry you would be so disappointed. Some can be so bad that the wiper does not even work so driver just keeps going, hoping to get his destination by some special mercies.

I took a troski from Tema Station to Teshie one rainy afternoon and got to my destination more wet than I would have, even if I had walked. The car was pretty much in a bad shape but one would only notice when it rains. Bad window panels, doors, wipers, metal parts gutting out with the potential to hurt passengers are but the few that characterize these cars esp. the commercial buses.

 Talk of customer service and there is nothing good to write about. A bus stops for you to get on board and without waiting for you to settle on a seat, the driver speeds off in a bid to get more passengers. Meanwhile at other times just because of a space that needs to be filled, a conductor will keep all the other passengers waiting at a bus stop calling out to passengers that are nowhere in in sight. It gets so irritating especially when you are late for an appointment.

Talk about inconsistent fares in  between bus stops. It seems everyone has their own prices when it comes to how much they should take in between bus stops. It’s funny how when you board a troski from one station to the other it could be one cedi but from the other to where you took the first one from could be a cedi and twenty pesewas. With the excuse that it was a loading vehicle.  It’s not surprising that out of one in the many you will board in a day there is always an argument between a passenger and the conductor (mate).

This brings me to the issue of handing out change to passengers, it seems in Ghana here one assumes a new identity in a commercial bus. The conductor rudely addresses people by the amount given to him; Yesss 5 cedi, Yesss 20 cedi. Ah! Can’t they come up with something more appropriate? For some conductors I don’t know if it’s by sheer negligence or it is deliberate. They tend to keep your change and if you don’t consistently remind them, you don’t get your change. Hmm! This is just broad day robbery.

I don’t know the perception these bus conductors have, but majority somehow seemed to be clothed in the same apparel…dirty clothes with a pinch of odour.  One time I happen to be the last person to join a troksi so sat close to the conductor. Gradually, it was time to collect fares so this mate had to stretch to take money from those seated at the back, when the guy raised his hand.  Eiiii! It was bad, indescribable. For me I attribute it to their lack of respect for the job and low self-esteem. There is no shame in honest labour so please bus conductors tidy up a bit so you can earn the respect of passengers. Adding up is the case of conductors being impolite and rude. They seem to be no respecter of persons be you old or young. Any correction you try to make in connection to their jobs will end you in their bad books.

Now who at all is to be blamed for this ill treatments on our roads, Government for bad roads, Drivers for poor maintenance or Passengers for wrong choices? Follow this blog for more on this subject. (Troski Diaries 2)

*Keyword

Troski – a commercial vehicle that operates within communities  and towns.