Respecting the Unsung Heroes: Drivers

For the past two years, I have been driving my personal car, primarily for local use. Occasionally, I undertake a longer journey to my hometown of Karur, approximately 300 km away from Bangalore. The maximum distance I cover in a day is around 300 km. With a new car equipped with modern amenities, the journey home takes about five hours, offering comfort and luxury.

However, my perspective changed last week after the summer vacations. On the way back to Bangalore, we had to take a detour to pick up my father-in-law from Dindigul, extending the journey to approximately 500 km in total. After driving for about six and a half hours, I experienced severe back pain. Exhausted, I collapsed into bed, enduring the pain for four more days. This incident made me reconsider my plans for long-distance travel and self-driving beyond 300 km in a day.

It also prompted me to reflect on the challenges faced by public transport drivers and taxi drivers, who spend the majority of their time behind the wheel. Even on holidays and festival days, they continue to serve. It is easy to pass judgment, but difficult to comprehend the realities. This trip made me truly understand the difficulties of long-distance driving, leading to a significant increase in my respect for public transport and cab drivers.

Recently, we traveled to a temple in a cab, covering a distance of about 400 km. The driver skillfully drove us to the temple in six hours. As we had special darshan tickets, I invited him to accompany me inside, but he politely declined and chose to rest in the car instead. I was perplexed by his decision, wondering why he would miss such a wonderful opportunity to visit a historic and traditional temple for just an hour of sleep. Now, I understand the physical strain and exhaustion he endures. This scenario has occurred not only once but multiple times in different places and situations.

The same holds true for public transport drivers. I once had a conversation with an Omni bus driver who shared his experiences. He mentioned that he typically drives air-conditioned buses, where the driver's cabin lacks air conditioning. His journeys usually begin at night and conclude in the early morning, as most passengers prefer to start their day in the city by leaving their hometowns the previous night. Once he drops off the passengers, he finally gets some time to sleep. Often, he sleeps in the bus itself. During the daytime, finding parking amidst traffic becomes challenging, and the noise, daylight, and heat make it difficult for him to rest properly. The next night, he has to drive the bus back from the city to smaller towns. These overnight travels cover distances of 500 to 700 km.

I also spoke with a bus company owner about this issue. He informed me that in his company, they have dedicated sheds for the buses and provide sleeping arrangements for the drivers. In places where space is limited, they offer an additional allowance of Rs. 300 for finding accommodation. However, most drivers prefer to keep the extra money and sleep in the bus itself. The owner claimed that in his company, they ensure sufficient time and resources for drivers to rest and prepare for the next trip. He also mentioned that companies owning only one or two buses usually do not offer such facilities, resulting in poor service and bus quality due to the same reasons.

A single day of driving caused me immense pain and filled me with regret for all the drivers out there. It made me appreciate the sacrifices they make and the hardships they endure. It is crucial to respect and acknowledge the contributions of these unsung heroes who keep our transportation systems running smoothly.