There is something very unique about waking up in the morning and boarding a Public Service Vehicle (PSV), better known as a mathree or matatu, to go to work.

I use the word unique because if you are like the rest of us who depend on matatu's to get from one point to another, then you will agree with me that every day is a new experience of drama, the only difference being that you never know if that day you are the one who is going to be the target or the person sitting next to you.

My personal experience, for example, has been a cocktail of the good and the bad, with the latter taking the greater share.

From being squeezed into seats because of the greed of touts to carry more than what is allowed, to having to suffer long hours at the matatu stage because the vehicle refuses to move until all the seats are occupied, below is a list of annoying habits that matatu operators should stop subjecting their passengers to.

1. Kindly usitupitishe, all passengers prefer to disembark at their correct stage.

The Kupitishwa stage whic i am supposed to disembark is getting on my nerves. You would be very clear about where you want to get off, but they would still pass that point just because they can. Shouting "shukisha shukisha" is not my cup of tea. Especially if I have politely told them where I am going to stop.

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2. If there is change to be returned to me, please do so immediately after I have paid you.

I wish the haste with which they ask for your bus fare would be reciprocated when it is their turn to give you change. The phrase 'change yangu' is very common, one would wonder why they take so long. On unlucky days, I would get off the matatu only to realise later that the tout never gave me back the money he owed me.

3. Stop subjecting passengers to long hours of waiting at a matatu stage.

If there is one thing that makes my blood boil it is this, the lie starts before you reach the matatu, the tout issue numerous promises of how the matatu will leave immediately you get in, but you sometimes end up waiting for more than 30minutes at the stage without leaving. When you suddenly decide that you are tired of waiting and are about to leave, the driver decides to reverse the matatu to waste more time at other matatu stops along the way.

4.There is no need to harass passengers as we are able to make the decision on which matatu to board.

Unfortunately, women are the most affected. Nothing breaks my heart than to see a number of touts pulling a female passenger in different directions, trying to convince her which matatu she should board. Let a person decide for themself without the harassment.

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5. Give us privacy with our Mpesa balance messages.

When I make my payments and the conductor asks to see the Mpesa message, I feel they are invading my privacy. Disclosing your transaction to a third party is not an exciting experience.
If the number used is either for the driver or the conductor, please check the messages at the other end.

6. Why does it seem that all touts never take a shower or know the magic of deodorant?

I do not know if it is just me, but have you ever found yourself sitting while a tout stretches his arm and his armpit rests over you? Usually this happens when he reaches out to take money from passengers at the back or when the car has carried more than capacity and hangs over your nose? This is the most agonising thing that has ever happened to me. The smell chokes you before you get to your stop.

7. Passengers are not assistant conductors.

I do not appreciate being made an assistant conductor. "Madam niitishie ya hapo mbele." We pay to sit and enjoy the ride to our destination. Can we be allowed to do this and not be kept in an uncomfortable state for the entire journey?

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Muthoni Wanjiku