Transport

Here is how the chicken bus system works. People that want to ride a bus gather by the side of the road. When the bus approaches prospective riders, the driver beeps the horn twice as a warning. If a bystander wants a ride (the bus´s destination is painted on the front), she´ll hold her hand out a bit, extend two or three fingers, and tap downward a few times. The bus will slow down, but not stop, and as it passes the rider will sling herself aboard by grabbing a pole that has been welded in front of the door.

And then there is this. Each bus comes equipped with a person I call a ´barker.´ Barkers are usually teenage boys. They ride on the steps of the bus, often with their heads peeking out of the open door like collies. When barkers spot prospective riders, they bark out the bus`s destination, just in case the bystander can´t read.

At prime locations - intersections usually - the buses stop and the barkers grab bystanders and shove them on board. Then they grab the bystanders´ possessions and sling it onto the roof rack. As the bus begins moving again, the barker climbs up the ladder to the roof and ties down all the packages so nothing is lost.

Barkers can be a wee brusk, but they´re very helpful. Tell them your destination, and they´ll make sure you don´t miss your stop. They´ll make sure you don´t forget your bags. The good ones will even shove you in the direction of the right bus when it comes time to transfer.

Between stops the barker walks the isle collecting fares. It may take him 15 or 20 minutes to return your change, but in the end he always makes things right.