Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Fortunately the buses in Rwanda are very reliable, yes they will change a flat tire while the bus is full, but they leave on time and they rarely break down. They are the main source of transportation for the population. Mottos (small motorcycles) are available in areas where a bus cannot drive because the roads are not constructed, however they are expensive compared to walking, which is free. I would say the majority of the population takes public buses on a very regular basis. Because of the wide use and accessibility of the public transport system and I am both shocked and stunned that people have trouble entering and exiting, something I consider a very simple task.

There are three types of buses, large government buses, pepto mint green and about twice as high and wide as a yellow school bus, the moderate size bus where everyone gets a single seat, and the muttatus, or the smush buses where you have to cram in. The later two are both the same lay out. There are seats that are stationary and then there are ‘jump seats’ they fold up so that an isle is created and then when they are down you sit in them. Therefore if the jump seat is down no one can pass, you are blocking the isle.

I am always taken aback that people do no realize this!! Everyday, every time, if someone needs to pass you must stand up. People continuously sit in the first jump seat, blocking the entire back of the bus so that no one can pass and then they do not move or even attempt to get out of the seat. People will make a conscious effort to climb over other people, stepping on others, rather than simply standing up and filing in the bus in an orderly manner.

There are often times when there are open seats before the bus fills up, on smaller buses you do not leave until they are full. Getting there early you can get a window seat, but you never know how many minutes or hours until everyone gets on. There have been numerous occasions where rather than take a seat that is open, someone will come and sit directly on your lap. This is common when the bus is full because there is a lack of seats, but most definitely not necessary until the bus is full!! The muttatu buses, small crammed ones, sit 18, not comfortable, but are designed to fit 18, they are similar to the hippie VW wagons, often there are 20+ people, people sitting on laps, this is not including the children, The children I do not mind, they do not cry for long, sometimes they pee on you, that I can handle, people staring at me, drunk men in my personal space, all no problem, my breaking point, the throwing up. The roads are not bad in Rwanda. There are some treacherous ones, some windy ones, some that make me a little nauseous, however, the people here are always throwing up on public transportation. I'm going to knock on wood as I type this and say I have no been thrown up on yet, I would like to keep it this way!