The horrible side of travelling to Bamenda from Yaounde II

On my way back from Bamenda, it was another tough time with Amour Mezam. We were at the park before it was 9:00 AM and only took off by 10:30 AM. Our Bus, one of the oldest and least maintained of all in the company was suffering from age; the windows clattering dissonantly in rhythm with the rocking disarrayed chairs.

Leaving the Bamenda Station behind, I noticed we had the wrong driver to spice up the day; at top speed, he respected neither the speed bumps nor potholes on the way such that passengers continuously rocked from side to side at their discomfort each time bus jumped from one speed bump or pothole to another.

The driver and his nonchalant helper (motoboy) paid the least attention to the complaining passengers rather, they commenced a disturbing taxis service, stopping indiscriminately along the way and picking up more passengers without considering the available sitting space. You will like to know that notices are pasted everywhere in the bus informing passengers that drivers are not permitted to stop on the way to pick up passengers.

After what looked like eternity, we got to Yaounde at about 7:00 PM. It took us another two hours from the agency at Etuodi, through the streaming traffic to the Biyem-Assi agency where another hour was spent looking for parking space.

By the time we stepped out of the bus, we had spent an uncomfortable 11 hours. Come to think of it, this is a trip I complete in 4 hours when driving at normal speed and taking my time to rest along the way.

Some of the buses and every bit of service at Amour Mezam need a complete overhaul. The company needs a foresighted manager and a service quality control unit if it has to meet up with the needs of customers in this age.