One Man, Half Seat: The overcrowding conundrum on public transport

My recent reliance on public transport due to car troubles revealed an overdue issue within the public transport service.

Honestly, it’s been so long since I last used public transport, and I have to say, I was surprised to see that not much has changed. I’m not even going to dive into the usual complaints about the condition of the vehicles or the rising fares—that’s a whole other issue for another day.

I’m sure anyone who regularly uses public transport, especially trotro or taxis, can relate to the overused phrase “One man, one seat.” Theoretically, it’s meant to ensure everyone has a seat comfortably, but in practice, it often feels more like “One man, half a seat” when you’re packed in like sardines.

What really struck me was the discomfort of being squashed by someone who, for lack of a better term, seemed to think it is your responsibility to share our seat with them.

It dawned on me that two main culprits often occupy excessive space, leaving others cramped: larger individuals, which we affectionately referred to as "Obolo," and persons with children.

Their sense of entitlement makes objecting challenging. Regrettably, adjusting positions to accommodate others has become customary.

I urge authorities, particularly the Transport Union Congress (T.U.C.), driver's unions, and passenger advocacy groups, to address this concern. Paying customers deserve their allocated space without being squeezed by those requiring more room.

Consider the following solutions:

1. Double seats for larger passengers

2. Accommodating seating arrangements

3. Enforcing the "One man, one seat" policy.

By implementing these measures, we can ensure a more comfortable and equitable travel experience for all passengers.

Economic struggles don't justify squishing passengers. No more sardine-packed rides!

Let's upgrade to "One Man, Comfortable Seat"!.