Tap tap
Tap taps are gaily painted buses[1] or pick-up trucks with metal covers[2] that serve as share taxis in Haiti. They may also be referred to as camionette.[3]
Literally meaning "quick quick",[4] these vehicles for hire are privately owned and ornately decorated.[1] They follow fixed routes, won't leave until filled with passengers, and riders can disembark at any point in the journey.[5]
Decoration
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Often painted with religious names or slogans,[4] the tap tap is known for its lavish decoration, and many feature wild colors, portraits of famous people, such as Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson and intricate, hand-cut wooden window covers, some window covers are also made of metal.[1]
Travel warnings
Many developed countries inform their citizens to not take tap taps when visiting Haiti.
Canada
While saying not to use any form of public transport in Haiti, the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against tap tap travel especially.[6]
United States
The US State Department warns travelers not to use tap taps "because they are often overloaded, mechanically noisy, and driven unsafely."[7]
References
- Haiti's 'Tap Tap' Bus Art Flourishes After Quake PBS Newshour, March 30, 2010
- Haiti: Tap-taps traveladventures.org
- Paul Clammer, Michael Grosberg, Jens Porup (2008). Dominican Republic and Haiti (4th ed.). Lonely Planet. p. 355. ISBN 9781741042924.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
- 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
- My Haiti Picture for today : Tap-Tap katianovetsaintlot.blogspot.com, February 9, 2010
- TRAVEL REPORT Haiti: 9. Travel and Currency Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Official Site
- Travel Warning: Haiti US Department of State Official Site, January 20, 2011
