Why does Elsamma bus have two steering wheels? Story of how children are 'driving' D'Souza's bus

KOCHI: Elsamma bus has not one but two steering wheels. The right one is for the driver and the left one is for the children travelling in the bus. It was the driver cum bus owner, T.J. D'Souza, who installed the second steering wheel three years ago. With that, Elsamma became a favourite among children in the Cherthala region.

D'Souza, a native of Kanichukulangara Chethy, was an AC and washing machine technician. He left that job to become a private bus driver. Later, he bought his own bus. Children used to vomit due to motion sickness in the Elsamma bus, which is widely relied upon by the common people. It was a friend named Bineesh who suggested putting a toy in the bus to prevent vomiting. The tendency to vomit will disappear if the children's attention is focused on the toy. It was that thought that led to the toy model steering wheel. The old car steering wheel was found and mounted on the bus in a way that it could be turned. The idea became a huge hit. Elsamma bus is now a star among children. The problem of vomiting is also solved.

Children queue to drive

The Elsamma bus, which starts its service from Cherthala to Alappuzha via the coastal road at 6.30 am, gets filled with children by the time school rush starts. With the rush to 'drive the bus', a rule that only one child can hold the steering wheel a day had to be introduced. This is a fascinating sight for adults as well.