The Downs and Ups of Public Transport

My brother and I got a car to share a month after I got my licence. A year later, I got my own and from then on, didn't ever really need to share. Public transport in Wisconsin is completely underused and useless but I am convinced that I will someday live in a city where it is better than the alternative. I have studied mass transit in Brazil and know of all the wonderful qualities but honestly, until last night, I felt complete hatred toward transportation in Senegal.

Getting to Diourbel is generally not a problem. I usually have help from a guy at the garage, Sall, but when I don't I generally don't mind waiting until a bus comes. But a few weeks ago I was ready to head back home rather than get a much needed break from Bambey because of the hell the garage put me through.

I showed up at the garage and didn't find my friend. No big deal, there is a lady that sells food that I see every time I am with Sall. So her and I talked and I was in a good mood... that I feel I should point out since people tell me that I am quite easy to read. Keep listening to my story... So the bus pulls up to go to Diourbel and I approach it and greet the guy politely but he simply says I cannot get on. I ask why and he says because I need to wait for the bus to fill up in the garage rather than get on here. Meanwhile, several Senegalese get on the bus. I argued a bit more saying there is no bus in the garage and I would pay the fair and he stops in Diourbel on the way anyways, but he said there are no seats available for me. NOT TRUE - I could see seats. So when I tried to get on spite him, he got in my way and more or less kicked me off, honked the horn and drove away.

So then, my good mood started to fade away but I was convinced that I was still going to Diourbel. A 7-place car pulls up and let some people out. Normally I wouldn't pay for a seat in a 7-place since it is more expensive, but after the incident with the bus I said I didn't care. So I walked up, greeted, asked them all where they were going, noticed there were 2 seats available and asked the driver and he rudely replied that I couldn't get in. He said I had to wait at the garage or talk to "those men over there" to get a ride. So maybe this is the job of my friend, Sall, and I didn't realize it? I should know this by now.... or they are just pulling my leg. I started thinking, do I really want to go to Diourbel tonight?

So I walk up to the two men, greet properly and explain my situation. One explained to me that if I am in such a hurry, I just need to rent the minicar (aka bus for 20) to take me there alone. That was the breaking point. I blew up at them saying how outrageous that was, renting a bus to take one person... how I am a development worker living and working in this town and I probably threw too many insults in at them but couldn't help myself. He happened to know my host mom and asked questions about my work. I was still pissed. They were in disbelief, as I was a young woman telling them off in Wolof, nearly in tears but far too mad to cry. After their quick appologies, another bus pulls up and they simply said, why don't you get on that one. "AHHH! Ok! I will!"

So I walk over to the bus and see the two apprentices that collect the money. I explained where I was going and they said it was 800cfa. "No, its 300". No, 800. 300. 700. AHH I'll pay 500, just let me get on this damn bus! (Sometimes prices fluctuate but at this point I knew I was just getting screwed and tried real hard not to care) So I got on and sat down next to a nice woman. The apprentice asked her where she was going: Diourbel. She gave him a 500 piece and she got 200 back. He asked for my money, I gave him a 500 and didn't get any change. I normally wouldn't do this, but I called him a liar and said in a raised voice how unfair it was. He still didn't give me my money back.

I made it to Diourbel and vented to my friends and just hate public transportation. Point blank. Until last night. I decided to come to Diourbel late last night since an appointment fell through. It was dark by the time I wanted to leave so I just went to a gas station to wait rather than the garage. A bus pulled up right when I was arriving and got on. The guy said it was 400 and I was quick to say 300 but he stayed strong and I tried not to care. After a few people got off, the apprentice and I started talking and I asked where the bus was going and what his work is like. He asked where I was going and I said to town. He told me to make sure not to pay more than 125 for a clando cab ride. Very nice of him to even mention that, and then, he gave me back my 100cfa since he charged me too much! How nice right?

All that being said, if ever trip was like a few weeks ago, I would never leave Bambey. But last night was great! I guess the moral that I learned from this is that I am the minority and sometimes it can really suck but you only really know if you are the minority.