Every bus in Mumbai has a conductor. He is the man in charge of the bus. He wears a khaki uniform and has a leather bag for money slung over one shoulder. He has a tray for tickets around his other shoulder.

When all the passengers have boarded the bus, the conductor rings the bell, and off goes the bus. Then the conductor goes around taking the fare from the passengers and giving them their tickets. Before certain stops, he announces the names of the places.

The conductor of the bus I travel on knows me very well. He smiles at me when he comes to me. He knows that I have a bus pass. He is very patient with the passengers. He always speaks courteously, even to those who are rude. I have never seen him quarrelling with the passengers.