Thursday, October 25, 2007

Gasp, sputter, choke... hike

I was going to be late for Raya visitng. 7.30pm and I was still in bus stuck in a traffic along Newton. Made a quick call to update my parents. I estimated to be home by 8pm.

Whatever time was lost in the traffic, the long bus soon made up for it on the expressway. Just as it exited PIE to BKE, the bus started grumbling up the sloping bend. "That's odd," I thought. The engine lacks power.

I looked out to the cars zooming on the right lane. One car in particular caught my attention. Not because of the make or model. Simply because the driver was honking and the front passenger turned to look at the back of the bus before looking into the bus I was in. Minutes later I realised the air-con has stopped functioning. Seconds later, I caught whiff of smoke. Within moments, the bus moved to the road shoulder. The engine stopped. Right beside the ERP gantry of BKE.

Sleeping commuters woke up. The long bus was 3/4 packed with sitting and standing passengers. Without airconditioning, there was poor ventilation. All 5 passengers from the back suddenly stood up at attention. Apparently the heat from the smoke had travelled its way to their seats. I pressed for the doorbell. Nothing happened. I couldn't even see the driver.

In a flash, one lady requested for the man nearest to the back doors to press the emergency button. The end of the bus was beginning to heat up. The moment the doors opened, we alighted. I made my way to the front of the bus. There I saw the driver standing in his seat looking on as a passenger tapped her EZlink to cancel her ride. There was a white van parked in front of the bus. Another staff got down from the van and went to investigate.

The driver may have been prepared and trained to handle such situations... but nothing. Not even a "All passengers, please remain calm" or "All passengers, please tap your EZlink to cancel your ride". I boarded, tapped my EZlink and alighted. Approached the others who were standing by the roadside and relayed the information. Only then I turned to take a look at the bus.

I don't know whether to laugh or cry. In such a long bus with passengers occupying 2 compartments, it seemed like the 1st half were totally unaware. Most remained seated or standing turning left and right patiently waiting to alight. Had the bus been on fire, the site would have turned to a BBQ area. I knocked at the window and signalled to a man nearest to the middle doors. Pointed to him the emergency button. He had trouble opening the case from the wrong end but the doors were soon released.

I stood there waiting and observing from a distance. Everyone's safe, no injuries. Traffic has slowed down near our area. Bus driver was still standing rooted to his seat. Bus was nearly empty.

Another bus service soon turned up - 190. Unfortunately it was sardine packed right to the front door. It moved on. Right behind was another bus - 960, 3/4 full. I managed to board it.

I had no problem tapping my EZlink. But the bus driver got slightly irritated when several other passengers asked him "Will there be double deductions?"

His answer: "Your bus driver never tell you to cancel just now? No token?*"



* Based on experiences, bus driver will usually 1) inform his passengers to tap their EZlink to cancel their ride's fee. Upon boarding the next available bus, the affected passenger pays a discounted rate. or 2) issue a paper ticket token. Upon boarding the next bus, the affected passenger passes the token and taps his EZlink to get a free ride.

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Saturday, October 06, 2007

Go straight?!

Lady: "Where are you now?"

Us: "We can't find your street. We are at a T-junction now. Should we turn left or right?"

Lady: "Ok, let me guide you... First, you go straight. Then..."

Us: "We can only turn left or right."

Lady: "No, no you must go straight first. After that, you turn right."

Us: "If we go straight, we will drive right into the building."

Lady: "Err... let me pass the phone to my husband."

Me to Hero: *chuckling* "She reminds me so much of Makcik."

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