Tips for first timers to minibus taxis
Once you have found the taxi for your destination which is shown on the windscreen or called out by the drivers’ right-hand-man, the unspoken rule is that you fill the minibus from the back seats first.
Don’t ever be afraid that you won’t all fit in because you WILL.
As you depart don’t be surprised when you feel a tap on your shoulder from the passenger behind. At this prompt, simply put up your hand and the passenger will drop a few coins into your palm which you are then to pass forward by tapping the passenger in front on the shoulder.
You are then likely to hear a number mumbled from behind. That number refers to the number of passengers they are paying for.
Note that if the passenger behind you happens to be a tourist, things won’t run quite as smoothly as described as they too may be a newcomer to the system. Hopefully after reading this you will be well trained and will look the part of an experienced minibus traveller in Cape Town!
Always be open-minded!
Follow the procedure above until the clinking coins make their way to the driver and somehow miraculously the correct change is returned to each correct individual. If you feel somewhat uneasy to sit at the back, then the driver is usually very obliging to the elderly and especially to the attractive ladies whereby he will be very happy to make space for you by his side. Just be prepared that in this position you will be able to best observe the hair-raising precision with which the driver handles the roads and other vehicles.