Jason Kinomoto
If you are reading this article, you most likely use a car as your main mode of transportation. However, if for some reason you have to use public transportation, you may be glad to know that some people are fighting to make TheBus an odor free zone.
According to the Honolulu Advertiser, Council Members Rod Tam and Nestor Garcia introduced a bill last week that would make it illegal to "Bring onto transit property odors that unreasonably disturb others or interfere with their use of the transit system, whether such odors arise from one's person, clothes, articles, accompanying animal or any other source."
In other words, if people smell your feet, you lose your seat. Obviously, this bill was quickly voted down by the City Council Committee 59 to 9.
See, the problem with the bill is that it doesn’t go far enough. Instead of just policing attacks on the sense of smell, the bill should also protect your other senses.
For instance, I know that when my Mercedes is in the shop and I have to ride TheBus, there are constant barrages of people speaking loudly on cell phones, blasting their music, or just making too much noise. TheBus is supposed to be a place of solitude and quiet reflection, not a place to socialize. Therefore, the only sound riders should be allowed to make is their breathing.
Now, another problem critics had with the bill was that it was unenforceable. Not to worry. I will generously offer my services as an independent, unbiased third party in order to weed out anyone who may possibly offend riders’ senses of sight, sound, hearing, feel, taste, or any other extra sense. All I ask for in exchange is a ten cent fare increase with all the extra revenue going directly to me.
If you happen to live in Rod Tam’s (district 6) or Nestor Garcia’s (district 9) area, please offer encouraging words in their fight to make TheBus bearable. While the majority may be clearly against them, they are the only enlightened ones who understand how to put the “civil” in “civilization.”
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of DRIV Magazine.