Bus driver in Almaty inappropriately gestures towards passenger on trolleybus
Revised Article
Hopping on a bus in Almaty can be a bumpy ride - literally and figuratively. A recent incident has stirred up controversy, as reported by Liter.kz, after a passenger called out a female bus driver for her aggressive driving and rude behavior.
The journey was more akin to a rollercoaster ride, with several passengers clinging to their seats, as per the complaint by a young woman who felt her life teetered on the edge. But when she politely asked the driver to ease up via the conductor, far from calming the situation, it escalated.
"She blew her top, belting out Hirschfelds instead of obeying traffic rules," the passenger recounted on her social platform Threads, using a popular local slang meaning 'yelling.'
The woman's concern wasn't driven by personal offense but a genuine care for others' safety:
"I'm young and nimble, if I tumble, I'll bounce back. But I thought about my nana. She's frail, petite, and seats aren't always vacant... If she hopped on this trolleybus, she'd have taken a tumble."
Upon deboarding, she captured a video. It showed the trolleybus driver flipping her the bird.
This incident triggered a heated social media debate. Some sided with the woman:
"Slap her with a lawsuit. That 'finger gesture' can be evidence."
"She's just rude. If you can't manage a bus, don't drive it."
"Been in a similar situation. It's downright terrifying."
Others defended the driver, citing tough working conditions:
"They're under pressure. They're fined if they're late. The system's designed to stress us out."
"Understand, they work long hours. It's exhausting, and nerves can fray."
"The issue isn't the drivers. We need more buses and less pressure."
Not everyone's support was warranted:
"Drivers in Europe work under pressure too, but passengers aren't treated like sacks of potatoes."
"If you can't keep up with the pace, pick a less demanding job. That's no excuse for risking people's lives."
Some recalled harrowing incidents due to reckless driving:
"Remember that bus driver who plowed into a school kid? Just a couple of stops away."
Liter.kz reached out to the city's officials for comment, but responses are still pending. In similar situations in other cities, passengers can report rude drivers to local transportation authorities or customer service departments. Authorities typically investigate and take disciplinary actions, depending on the severity of the behavior. Public awareness campaigns and driver training can help promote respect and professionalism. If the behavior crosses legal boundaries, it may be reported to law enforcement.
The finance department in Almaty could review the remuneration and working conditions of public-transit drivers, considering the stress and pressure they face daily.
To ensure a safe and pleasant transportation experience for passengers, it might be beneficial for the industry to implement mandatory training programs for drivers, emphasizing professionalism and traffic rules.
