Taxi Rides

Over the course of the past few weeks, I have tried get more comfortable with the mini bus taxi system here in South Africa. The taxi bus system is the biggest mode of transport for most people in the Durban area. Really for most of South Africa. 

The best way I can describe a mini bus taxi, would be to have you picture 14 passenger van that drive certain routes through the city and the townships. Most are really cheap to travel in, depending on your destination. They are most certainly cheaper than what American's idea of a taxi would be. 

There are conflicting feeling about the mini bus taxi system here in Durban. I'm sure its other places as well. For the people that use the taxi's they love them. For the people who own cars, they hate them. Personally I love them. As someone who uses them, I think the system is great. Let me elaborate. You see, at any point in time you can tell the taxi drive to pull over and let you out. This includes the highway, stop light (robot as South African call them), gas station, ect. The only catch is that the taxi may be in furthest lane possible from the side of the road to let you off. So in a brave or maybe reckless driving style, the mini bus taxi will cut through 2-3 lanes of traffic to let you off where you want. This normal entails a lot of honking and people yelling at each other in Zulu and praying to God that the taxi doesn't get you hurt in this endeavor. 

It is also quite an experience be in the taxi its self. In order for the taxi's to make more money they cram people in like sardines. (Even though the government is trying to regulate this). Not every person is a small size either, so at times it entails having a 100 kg (200+Lbs) man or women sitting half way on you lap and trapping you against the seat. Furthermore, some taxi's feel like you are at a rave party or "house" party, with music blaring. The music is so loud you can barely hear yourself think, let alone hear where the next stop for the taxi is. At times, I am not sure it I can feel my  heart beating from the adrenaline pump through from a near accident or because its the bass of the music vibrating my chest. 

Here is a picture of what the mini bus taxis look like. Not the greatest picture, but it will give you a good idea. 

Here is a long shoot of a mini bus taxi in one of the townships. 

Here is a slightly blurry view of a mini bus taxi rank down town. I can't remember if my house mate and I were in a mini bus taxi during while taking this picture or not.