In Lasgidi, yours truly has learnt that in the event of bus scarcity, "tushness" will simply get one nowhere. I have always hated stampedes or physical struggles of whatever kind, but I have also realized that without summoning enough courage to join the teeming crowd of people that fight tooth and nail to get into the few approaching buses, I probably will never be punctual to work and other appointments.

And really, I have schemed the situations at Lagos bus-stops and from my experience, have now put together these systematic tips to make you smarten up and get on the bus the next time there is a crowd at the bus stop, while still maintaining your dignity…so, let’s share!

· Decide on how important the outing is. Is it a family gathering or get together? Are you going to work or from work? Of course, this will help you to determine how desperate you are to get a bus and how much you are willing to part with to get the next bus.

· If it applies to you, put a call through to a superior that you might be late. It is better to surprise him and turn up early than to be late with late notification or none at all. It just goes to show how responsible you are and how much you value time. Of course, this will work for you if don’t make lateness a habit.
· Is it a rainy day, this will limit the kind of struggle you will want to engage in. Don’t stand in front of a pool of water…you sure do not want to get to work soiled.
· Don’t leave your phone in your pocket or back pack. Hold it firmly in your hand or better still, in a bag that is tightly secured and visible to your sight even as you struggle. Tidy up yourself…MP3 players, ear pieces, envelopes etc. are not bus-struggle friendly.
· Now as a bus approaches, target where the bus is most likely to come to a halt and wait for it there. Don’t jump into a moving bus, especially if you are a lady.
· It’s a struggle and not a fight. Don’t give elbows and knuckles as free gifts just to enter the bus.
· The conductor of the bus might say “ko lo o…” meaning literarily, “the bus is not going”. Dear brancher, do get on the bus first and then listen to the conductor after! (The usual case is that when the bus gets filled up with people, the driver changes his mind and then conveys the passengers to their destination. If not, you can easily alight from the bus with no harm done to anyone!). The same rule applies when you can’t hear where the bus is going and you are really desperate. Get on the bus first and ask later…funny, isn’t it?
· Enter the bus with your entire body first and then your legs (not the other way round). Stretch your body to amass space for yourself first, and then enter with your legs. This way, you do not face the danger of an accident if the bus gets to move while you’re still struggling since your legs are still out.
· Don’t enter in through the boot or window; it is not smartness but “razzness”.
· Give special consideration to pregnant women and nursing mothers. You can be nice enough to alight for them to come in if you are not in a hurry.
· Never give up if you don’t make it after the struggle, still stand very close to the bus. Chances are that some two people may be found lapping, making it necessary for an extra passenger to enter the bus…or someone would be alighting because of the usually exorbitant fare called by the conductor.
So reader...until you get your own ride, be smart and good luck in that next bus struggle…!

jackbauersballs:

It’s a struggle and not a fight. Don’t give elbows and knuckles as free gifts just to enter the bus.

illicit: DONT CARRY BAGGAGES AND LUGGAGES, BE FREE AND SMART AS POSSIBLE

yuzedo: Huh? Poeple still enters moluwe bus in dis 21th centurry?? we give uppp!!

osdayoola: like u are nt trying to board 1 now. Tushness

correcktion!!!!! i drive a big jip color pink wit white tinted glass. maybe if u walk had one day u can be like me. tenk.