Transport in Lesotho is very different than transport in the States. There is no emissions testing and no vehicle safety standards... any vehicle in any condition is allowed on the roads. For many of us who are volunteers, getting into a vehicle is something we dread. Some of the taxis have had such little maintenance that a group of men have to push the taxi down the road for a minute or so before the engine turns on. It's also a bit scary if your taxi needs to stop to get fuel, because drivers don't turn the engine off while refueling, which is a huge safety hazard. I wish volunteers were allowed to drive cars, but we are not allowed to due to the poor road conditions. The transportation here will be the thing I'll miss the least about Lesotho when my service finishes in 2025!
It is very rare for Basotho to own a vehicle. Instead, most take taxis to get around. Taxis in Southern Africa mean something a bit different than those in the Americas or Europe. What we consider to be a taxi is called a "4+1" in Southern Africa, because it can transport four passengers and one driver. 4+1s are expensive, so they don't get utilized much. What locals consider to be taxis are what we would call a sprinter van or shuttle. They are registered to take 14 passengers, but drivers always end up carrying between 15 to 20.
