Taxi-brousse

Organised vans for transporting people and goods against a fee through the country of Madagascar are called taxi-brousse. Usually the taxi-brousse station can be found next to the market of the town. Destinations and prices are written on the windscreen of each car. A fixed time table does not exist, most taxi-brousse leave when the car is filled with passengers. Paying for empty seats can accelerate the departure to a considerable degree.

Although the number of passengers depends on body volume, there seems to be no limit for goods. Everything what does not fit in the car, will be tied on the roof: large luggage, bicycles, sacks full of rice or char, furniture...

Most drivers mistake the ride with a rallye and accidents are not uncommon. It is advised to make sure the car ride is finished before dark.