Public Transport Wahala: My Encounter with the ‘No Change’ Crew

Something happened yesterday. I went to the market to get a few groceries, and while coming back home, I was met with a situation that reminded me of how unpredictable public transport in our dear country can be.

I boarded this tricycle, then another woman walked up to enter, and immediately the driver told her clearly and repeatedly that he didn’t have change. Anyone familiar with public transport here knows what that means.

When a driver says that statement, it’s not a joke. It means that you can only enter if you have change or if your money is complete to avoid unnecessary drama.

But no matter how loud the drivers say this, some people will hear and still act as though they didn’t. I honestly don’t know why that is; maybe it’s just stubbornness of heart, carelessness, or just hoping the driver will somehow figure it out later.

Sometimes it even feels intentional, like they plan to stress everybody first before finding a solution.

This woman entered, and when she got to her stop, she gave him money and needed to collect change. Immediately, the driver's face changed. “But I told you before you enter…,” though he wasn’t rude and wasn't loud, but was only frustrated because he had said it many times already.

He then started talking to me about such behaviour while the woman was outside looking for change herself, asking people around, and we were there waiting for what would happen next. As small as the money was, the driver worked for the money and should be paid, not even in the hot sun.

Minutes passed, and if you know Lagos, Ibadan or anywhere else in Nigeria, you know those minutes can feel like hours. The sun beating, traffic and the impatience that grows especially in the driver. In fact, it was as if I should have gotten home then.

After a while, I told him, “Let’s be going. I will add it to my fare.” Truly, at that point, peace of mind was more important than holding onto small change. I told the woman not to worry about her money, and she thanked me.

Honestly, experiences like this are funny and annoying at the same time. I feel irritated by such acts by people sometimes, but you know, it’s part of the everyday shenanigans of public transport in Nigeria.

Imagine when passengers, too, would try defending themselves over it, knowing they are to be blamed because the fault isn’t on the drivers, since they would have warned them about the “no change” thing.

Someone will hear instructions but still behave like the rules don't apply to them. Here in my country, it’s where delay has become a normal part of the journey due to issues like this.

However, moments like this remind me how much patience we need to navigate life here. Sometimes, it’s better to choose peace than fighting over arguing because that’s the only way to survive the day.

The scripture says we should try to be at peace with everyone at all costs. It applies to situations like this, too, but not everyone would definitely have that kind of patience. But with what happened yesterday, I am glad I chose the faster route to peace.

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_{Image Credit to Gemini}