Rumaithiya citizen and public transport
Acitizen has five cars for himself and family in Rumaithiya and since many years follows a certain routine in his life. He prays fajr (dawn) prayers, then waits for sunrise, eats his breakfast at home, then carries his daily paper and heads to the bus stop to get on the bus and sit on the back seat and start reading his paper, until he reaches Mubarakiya market to buy his things.
He then takes some rest in a cafe, because he still loves the simple and beautiful life, and the shapes of shops adjacent to each other following the old style, then he returns to his Rumaithiya home aboard the public transport bus once again at noon following a happy journey in all security and peace of mind. We know that the fuel of life is money, so out of being keen on his money and his property, he prefers public transport early in the morning to avoid traffic jams, which takes a long time from him and gives him tensions at all times.
Secondly, to avoid any accident with his private car, bearing in mind that not all those who got a driving license know the art of driving. Thirdly, to avoid any traffic violation due to lack of parking spaces, so he will be compelled to park in a no-parking place. Fourthly, he is spared the gasoline prices besides enjoying reading the newspaper without having to watch the road in total comfort and safety.
Everybody knows that there are 1.8 million vehicles on Kuwait roads while our streets’ capacity is 955,000 cars, which means that the place you want to get to in 15 minutes, you will reach it in one hour due to the jams and long queues at traffic lights. This if there is not an accident between a luxury car that is valued at thousands and a rundown restaurant delivery car, which forces you to be more late. There is a saying “with speed comes regret, and with patience comes safety,” but its validity seems to be over in the era of the fast rhythm, as we see the “mad” speed on expressways despite the jams, which has increased accidents and deaths.
The media and officials speak about encouraging citizens and expats to use public transport that is airconditioned, well-equipped and comfortable, yet everyone wants to keep a private car. “Happiness is not in owning everything, but in the feeling of satisfaction with the least of things.” The Rumaithiya citizen feels happy with public transport, and let us take his example to reduce street congestions and accidents.