Bus-Pass

Its the same time of the year again when college students line up for the renewal of their bus-pass.

Bus-pass!! Its the most important after air, water, food for any college student who uses public transport. Getting a bus pass was a tough task. Standing in long long queues, getting the signature of the college Principal and of course ensuring that the bus pass route covers majestic bus stand as the change point so that we can freely commute to and from Majestic Bus Stand :).

Bus-Pass was issued in two phases. First one was for ten months from July to April. Issuing bus-pass in first phase was fairly organized by the BMTC. Getting Principal's signature on the Application form was another uphill task as Principal wasnt available most of the time. Sometimes it used to take few days :( Bus-pass was issued on submitting this Application form along with the pass fee. It would be the happiest day as if we have been awarded and looking at the new bus-pass multiple times.

Now the second phase, really tough one. All College students badly needed to renew their pass as they used to have classes unlike the school children during April-May. Several thousand students used to descend to the Majestic BMTC bus stand on May 1st. Getting the bus-pass renewed for the second phase did not require a fresh application form again, but getting the pass among the thousands was challenging !!

But having the bus-pass was equal to having an extra power to commute in the public transport. It was a proud feeling saying 'pass' to the conductor of the bus. I remember running to the bus stops and even changing the buses at many bus stops to catch my favourite buses 43C, 43D which used to take us near the college. I cannot forget leaving a part to study on the way to bus stop and in the bus during exams!! Some of regular co-commuters of the bus became close friends.

I go down the memories of the city bus travel to college the moment I see a 43C or 43D. I always wonder how buses, trains and even our own vehicles hold a lot of memories of our life.

I am missing the city bus travel to college badly !!!