In a scene straight out of a reality TV show, a fight broke out on an Albuquerque city bus that might just qualify for its own episode of “Survivor: Urban Edition.” It all began when a passenger, seemingly with a black belt in bus disputes but lacking in common sense, decided to step up to the bus driver. Apparently, the bus driver had the audacity to insist that this older gentleman either sit down or get out. Honestly, one can only imagine the confusion on the driver’s face—did he think he was running a city bus or a bus for a reality fighting competition? But alas, the bus driver was met with some good old-fashioned passenger rage instead.

Enter Raymond Cohen, the unsuspecting bystander, who thought he could be the hero of this public transportation saga. He jumped into the fray, urging other passengers to “sit down and shut up.” Now, if only there was a prize for awkward conversations on public transport! When Cohen’s valiant attempt at calmness took a turn toward chaos as he threw the first punch, the bus must’ve felt like a scene out of an action movie, with everyone holding their breath, unsure whether to cheer or duck for cover.

Here’s the kicker: after whipping out pepper spray like it was a can of soda on a hot day, they ended up taking their brawl outside the bus. It’s always a spectacle when confrontations escalate to the great outdoors! One could only hope that the passersby didn’t mistake this for a flash mob intended to welcome spring in Albuquerque. As if choreographed, both men strolled into a nearby gas station, continuing their tussle as if they were rehearsing for the WWE rather than dealing with everyday bus life.

Now, Cohen didn’t just decide to throw in the towel, he practically shouted it out loud. As things heated up outside, he reportedly backed away from the scene, ready to live another day. But the other guy wasn’t quite done. Then, amid the drama, someone decided it was time to bring a knife to a fistfight—talk about escalating things to a whole new level! And let’s be real, this is when the onlookers probably lost any sense of normalcy. At that point, even if you were a spectator in the back, you’d be reconsidering your entire approach to public transport v. street fighting.

As things fell apart, Cohen was taken to the hospital. Unfortunately, not everyone walked away unscathed; the situation ended tragically, with Cohen not surviving the aftermath. Meanwhile, the bus driver faced consequences for simply trying to do his job, while the real sparring partner was carted away by the police. It’s hard to digest the fact that someone was trying to control a ruckus while passengers not only riled up but became unwitting gladiators in this public transport coliseum.

And here’s where the lesson lands: public transportation can be a wild ride, punctuated with everything from quiet reflection to surprise brawls reminiscent of an amateur fight club. As the bus driver gears up for what could very well be a legal showdown, we’re left shaking our heads at how a simple trip to the store can transform into a bus ride straight off the rails of common sense. Next time, when riding the bus, one may want to consider carrying a helmet—or, perhaps—just stick to Uber.