PHOTO: PRABIR DAS

ASHIF AHMED RUDRO

Metro rail is the commuting solution for thousands of people in the city. For many, the fleeting commute is as much a part of their day as much as their work. Even though most of the commutes last only a few minutes, each ride gives you an experience that only Dhaka can offer.

Here are the types of passengers that you can expect to meet on the metro rail.

THE GATE HUGGER

The gate hugger is the one passenger you cannot miss because he is there, standing at the gate the whole time. Even when his destination may be far away, or even if there is plenty of space inside the compartment, this particular passenger archetype just refuses to move away from the gate.

Of course, this makes it difficult for people to board and get off the metro, but they don’t care much about another persons’ convenience. They just love the gate and they will stand there.

THE ENTITLED ONE

Perhaps the only type of passenger universally loathed are the entitled ones. These “big shots” refuse to stand in line. Even if they do stand in the queue, you can be certain that they will break the queue as soon as the train arrives and they will attempt to jump into the compartment. It’s like the rules just do not apply to them and they don’t care how much everyone around them are annoyed by it.

THE APPREHENSIVE ONE

The apprehensive ones are probably just panicking inside, because they start moving towards the gate long before the train even arrives at the destination. Sometimes, they start the journey two stations in advance, pushing and shoving their way to the gate, probably anxiety ridden over the fear of missing their station and getting dropped off far away. While it is very understandable to move towards the gate before the train arrives at the station, sometimes the apprehensive ones seem to be freaking out for no particular reason.

THE ONE WHO LOVES TO TALK

It seems impossible to find a public transport where there isn’t at least one person with an overly active mouth. These people seem to have a lot of opinions, strong ones at that and they are highly interested in discussing those with strangers on public transport. Of course, even the metro rail gets these passengers. While most office-goers are not particularly interested in rambling, there are the occasional lippy ones who keep the compartment alive with the sound of their voice. Annoying as they maybe, most commuters do not bother engaging in a conversation with them, but that doesn’t stop them from trying.

THE GROUP OF FRIENDS

While often most people on the metro are office-goers, either commuting to or from work, visibly exhausted for what lies ahead, every now and then, a couple or a group of young people will board the metro. These people are way too excited about something and they cannot contain their excitement. They are either talking loudly or moving and gesturing something in the general direction of their friends. Other people will sometimes give them a perturbed look, but that never stops them.

And last but not least, there is another kind of passenger who will watch it all, remember it all, sit on his computer one day and then write about it. I’m that kind.

Which kind are you?