Every day, women walk towards bus stops on time and rarely miss a bus. They are determined and disciplined, always eager to secure a seat. With free bus services available, many of them travel more frequently and with greater ease. There is a visible sense of comfort and cheerfulness among them, perhaps because the burden of daily fare has been lifted. Conversations begin easily; strangers turn into companions, and the journey feels lighter. They seem to enjoy the ride more than men, as they do not have to pay the fare. Travelling in a free bus makes them cheerful. It is natural—people are more drawn to free services than paid ones. Women are often seen full of joy and laughter in these buses, and most make full use of this facility. It is their right, and they should not be left behind; they should take full advantage of what the government provides. Men, too, rush to board buses, and most manage to find at least some standing space.
Yet, one issue continues to disturb this daily routine that is noise.
After a long day’s labour, every passenger looks for some rest. Tired bodies do not welcome noise inside buses. But as soon as the bus starts moving, phones begin to fill the space with sound. Buses and trains have now become places where people scroll endlessly through content. Loud music, news, music, Islamic devotional hymns and religious speeches play openly on mobile phones. In the morning, this may go unnoticed, but by evening it becomes unbearable, when people are already worn out from the day’s work.
At that hour, the bus carries people returning from everywhere—office employees, labourers from fields, mechanics from workshops and factories, salesmen from shops, and even patients coming back after long hospital visits. All of them long to rest, to lean back against a seat, or to steal a brief nap by folding their arms and resting their heads. But rest rarely comes. They are surrounded by loud conversations and sharp sounds that pierce the ears. Much of this noise comes from those seated, playing content at high volume, disturbing others who are simply looking for some calm. With several phones playing at once, the ears struggle to follow anything clearly.
Voices overlap, sounds clash, and the entire space turns restless. No one seems able to stop it. People continue to play whatever they like, without thinking of those around them. In almost every bus or train, one sees several passengers glued to their screens, scrolling quickly while their phones play loudly. Music, cricket matches, songs, news everything is watched and shared, but without any concern for those who feel disturbed by it.
Sometimes, a few passengers do request others to lower the volume or use earphones. But hardly anyone listens. The journey goes on, and people are made to hear whatever others choose to play. I have often seen such situations. Once, while I was sitting in the front seat, an elderly woman behind me politely asked a group of boys and girls to reduce the volume. They were watching reels loudly, laughing, and adding their own comments. Instead of responding with respect, they ignored her. One of them even suggested increasing the volume. In the end, the woman quietly changed her seat. Others, too, remained silent, unwilling to say anything.
Another common habit is speaking loudly on the phone in public. Some people, who otherwise do not talk much, suddenly speak loudly on buses, at bus stops, or on busy roads. It often feels like an attempt to draw attention. But in doing so, they disturb others who may be resting or quietly minding their own work.
There is nothing wrong with being occupied or listening to something of one’s choice. But it should not come at the cost of someone else’s comfort. Many people seem to enjoy this display, pretending to be busy, seeking attention without realising the disturbance they create. Even parks and other public places are no longer free from such noise. Phones play news and other content loudly, as if meant for everyone around. At times, people even use such content to start conversations with strangers nearby.
Everyone has the right to entertain themselves but not at the expense of others’ peace. In public transport and shared spaces, some control over noise is necessary. Those who are already tired should not have to bear unnecessary disturbance.
It is responsibility of everyone to gently discourage such behaviour. People need to understand the basic etiquette of public spaces and the importance of respecting personal boundaries. A polite request, if taken seriously, can make a difference in future journeys. At least, phone calls should be kept brief, and one should remain mindful of the noise one creates.
Public transport is a shared space, and preserving its peace is a shared responsibility.

Email:----------------------pirfarhad123@gmail.com