The Senegalese government is trying to eradicate the car rapides because they are overcrowded and often unsafe. However, they are the most economical method of transportation for many Dakarois, so the car rapides are not going away anytime soon.
I usually take a cab which can be fun. The negotiation for the taxi fare is done according to certain customs and is a way for the driver and passenger to get to know each other before the trip begins. Unlike Uber or taxis in the U.S., taxi passengers in Dakar sit in the front seat and have conversations with the driver. Climbing into the back seat shows you are a toubab (“Westerner, outsider”)—rookie mistake!
Absolutely! As mentioned already, just by paying attention to the decorations when getting into a cab or boarding a bus, you can tell about the religious affiliation of the driver, the ethnicity, and what is important to them.
One unfortunate side effect is the lack of regulation on the maintenance of the public transit vehicles. In addition to studying religion and wrestling here in Senegal, I am also working with scientists to look at the historical causes of air pollution in Dakar and how that history is still felt today.
