Coauthored by Margot R. Moinester
1. Is the Minibus Right for You?
When arriving at the bus stop you will see a variety of modes of transportation. There will be mottos which look like adult dirt bikes and private taxis which are all white with an orange stripe down the side. Lacking in seatbelts, these vehicles are also quite expensive. Lastly there are the minibuses. These are large, white conversion vans with more windows and incredibly funky upholstery. There are four rows of seats including the most coveted spots next to the driver. Squish in because everyone’s family in
In addition, it’s the cheapest mode of transportation in
2. Choosing the Appropriate Bus
It is key, when traveling, to pick the correct mode of transportation as well as the correct route. A happy trip starts with heading in the right direction, geographically speaking; no one likes to start off being lost. However there are often complications for even the savviest traveler. Be sure to speak directly to the driver, though this position may vary as the driver seems to switch at almost every stop. Be wary of the money man. He just wants your money and will tell you any lie to get you on his bus. More about the money man to follow.
On occasion the final destination of that particular bus is written on the back of it. If you have a poor sense of direction or are in any way less than an expert on the layout of
Choose a bus that is primarily full because you are now on Rwandan time and the money man will not signal to the driver to leave until the bus is completely full. There is no sense of urgency here; and yelling at the driver about strict time commitments will not make the bus start moving any sooner. Therefore we advise you to choose your bus wisely!
3. How to choose a seat
This only applies to nearly empty buses.
If you’re getting out early in the route, sit closest to the sliding door on the right side of the van. This will allow you to trample and inconvenience the least amount of people on your way out.
However, we are often the first on the bus and therefore have some advice about which seat to choose. You can always wait until the bus fills up more, but you run the risk of losing a seat and being stuck on the outside, having to get up every stop to allow other passengers to exit. This can be quite cumbersome, especially when carrying any bags. Authors’ note: we recommend not carrying anything with you that is not absolutely necessary because it will be residing on your lap the entire trip.
Seats are not clearly demarcated on the minibus. This means the number of people riding in each row, depends solely on the size of each person and the money man. If he says move, you’d better move in because more people are going to join you. Don’t forget that there are two seats on each bus that fold out from the inside rows, closest to the door. Avoid getting stuck between the folding seat and the main row, as this is an incredibly uncomfortable position which will leave you with a pole in your butt.
Authors’ choice: the window seat, on the left side of the bus, is the way to go as it provides a nice breeze and a place to lean as well as allowing you the comfort of not having to get up with each passing passenger.
4. The Money Man
The money man is an integral player in every bus ride. Obviously, he takes your money and assures that every passenger pays, but his job extends far beyond fare collection. He is a recruiter and advertiser, a cheerleader of sorts. He will run to other buses and try to steal passengers to fill his own bus. If it’s a slow day, a persuasive money man can make your trip begin a lot sooner.
Side note: if the bus starts moving and you’re looking around, thinking, “where did the money man go?” No worries. Look out the window, as he’s probably running alongside the bus. Money men are dedicated and will sacrifice their own seat for another 100 francs from an additional passenger. Look forward to cheering on an out of breath money man at the next stop. The whole bus will share a laugh at this entertainment.
5. Bus etiquette
Move over, move over, move over. You must fill every nook and cranny in the bus and the driver won’t leave if you’re taking up enough room to fit in an additional passenger. Don’t be offended if someone actually sits on you. Just hope they move over a bit.
The upholstery is unexplainable and can serve as entertainment. Enjoy.
While you may be pleased to recognize US ‘90s pop music blasting on the radio, don’t sing too loud. You will get looks from the passengers around you.
When you are ready to exit, you must signal the money man who will get the driver’s attention to stop the bus. This is done by knocking loudly on the wall or roof of the bus. The money man, hearing this, will collect your money and make sure the driver knows to stop.
Authors’ note: it is common that you will have no idea where to get off the bus. As Rwandans don’t use street signs, it is best to be aware of major landmarks. If you are sitting in the middle of a row, it might be difficult to see out of the windows so attempt to alert the money man of your final destination before getting on the bus. If you look lost, he may take pity on you and alert you to exit the bus at the appropriate time. Otherwise, Good luck.
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