''Tap taps'' (, ) are gaily painted buses
[ or pick-up trucks with metal covers][Haiti: Tap-taps]
traveladventures.org that serve as share taxi
A share taxi, shared taxi, taxibus, or jitney or dollar van in the US, or marshrutka in former Soviet countries, is a mode of transport which falls between a taxicab and a bus. Share taxis are a form of paratransit. They are vehicles for hire and ...
s in Haiti
Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti, is a country on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and south of the Bahamas. It occupies the western three-eighths of the island, which it shares with the Dominican ...
. They may also be referred to as ''camionettes''.
Literally meaning "quick quick",[ these ]vehicles for hire
A vehicle for hire is a vehicle providing private transport or shared transport for a fee, in which passengers are generally free to choose their points or approximate points of origin and destination, unlike public transport, and which they ...
are privately owned and ornately decorated.[ They follow fixed routes, won't leave until filled with passengers, and riders can disembark at any point in the journey.][My Haiti Picture for today : Tap-Tap]
katianovetsaintlot.blogspot.com, February 9, 2010
Decoration
Often painted with religious names or slogans
A slogan is a memorable motto or phrase used in a clan or a political slogan, political, Advertising slogan, commercial, religious, or other context as a repetitive expression of an idea or purpose, with the goal of persuading members of the pu ...
,[Tap-tap, fula-fula, kia-kia: The Haitian bus in Atlantic perspective. Thompson, Robert Farris. African Arts. Los Angeles: Spring 1996. Vol. 29, Iss. 2; p. 36] the ''tap tap'' is known for its lavish decoration, and many feature wild colors, portraits of famous people such as Justin Bieber
Justin Drew Bieber ( ; born March 1, 1994) is a Canadian singer. Regarded as a pop icon, he is recognized for his multi-genre musical performances. He was discovered by record executive Scooter Braun in 2008 and subsequently brought to the U ...
and Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson (August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, songwriter, dancer, and philanthropist. Dubbed the "King of Pop", he is regarded as Cultural impact of Michael Jackson, one of the most culturally significan ...
, and intricate, hand-cut wooden window covers. Some window covers are also made of metal.[Haiti's 'Tap Tap' Bus Art Flourishes After Quake]
PBS Newshour, March 30, 2010
Travel warnings
Many developed countries
A developed country, or advanced country, is a sovereign state that has a high quality of life, developed economy, and advanced technological infrastructure relative to other less industrialized nations. Most commonly, the criteria for eval ...
inform their citizens to not take ''tap taps'' when visiting Haiti.
Canada
While saying not to use any form of public transport in Haiti
Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti, is a country on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and south of the Bahamas. It occupies the western three-eighths of the island, which it shares with the Dominican ...
, the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against ''tap tap'' travel especially.
United States
The US State Department
The United States Department of State (DOS), or simply the State Department, is an executive department of the U.S. federal government responsible for the country's foreign policy and relations. Equivalent to the ministry of foreign affairs o ...
warns travelers not to use ''tap taps'' "because they are often overloaded, mechanically noisy, and driven unsafely".Travel Warning: Haiti
US Department of State Official Site, January 20, 2011
See also
*Dekotora
, an abbreviation for "decoration truck", are a style of decorated trucks in Japan. Commonly featuring neon, LED or ultraviolet lights, detailed paintjobs and murals, and stainless steel or golden parts (both on the exterior and the interior) ...
*Jeepney
A jeepney (), or simply a jeep (), is a type of Public transport, public utility vehicle (PUV) that serves as the most popular means of Transportation in the Philippines, public transportation in the Philippines. Known for its crowded seating ...
* Jingle truck
* Chiva bus
*Auto rickshaw
An auto rickshaw is a motorized version of the pulled rickshaw or cycle rickshaw. Most have three wheels and do not tilt. They are known by many other terms in various countries, including three-wheeler, Adaidaita Sahu, Keke-napep, Maruwa, auto, ...
*Chicken bus
Bus transport is a key mode of transportation and plays an important role in commerce across Central America, where personal cars and rail systems are less common compared to wealthier countries.
In the region, these buses are often called "c ...
*Matatu
In Kenya, matatu or matatus (known as mathree in Sheng) are privately owned minibuses used as share taxis. Often decorated, many ''matatu'' feature portraits of famous people or slogans and sayings. Likewise, the music they play is also aimed ...
References
Share taxis
Road transport in Haiti
Decorated vehicles
Buses by type
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