Pretty painted buses & happy garbage trucks

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The cheapest way to get around the island if you don’t have transport like Dayflower, is by bus. They run very frequently during daytime and can also be good entertainment as they are packed with locals, go very fast and operate with 2 drivers at the same time. One on the wheel and the ticket collector waving signals out the window. The only issue is that they stop running between towns at 1800, so after this you will have to take a taxi, which is not too dear.

I have not yet figured out what the system is for the painting of the buses as some are just formal and normal, while others are colourful and have fantastic names and writings on them. I think it is due to there are three different companies owning the buses. UBS is normally red, but that is the only system I have found so far. 😊 I will be more alert to take more good bus pictures, but as a start “King of Love” will have to do.

I also just had to post a picture of our local garbage truck as it is really pretty! We love it! 😊

Update: Our good local friend Clarel has enlightened us all with his insight on why the buses are the way they are. Be sure to read his comment!

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Photos

King of Love
Now is it the bus driver that is king of love?

Comments

[Lecapitaine Tourist Residence]

Why some buses are painted and some not ?
Nina and Joachim are wonderful persons. I personally met them as i had the chance to have them on board of Lecapitaine Tourist Residence at Tombeau Bay for some 2 weeks time, and it looks as if that we know ourselves since long years. Long long ago, the public transport were run by some well known buses companies like the CNT(Compagnie nationale de Transport) their buses are painted in blue, The Rose Hill Transport, Buses painted in red, the UBS ( United Bus Service ) Buses painted in red and white. Apart from these buses companies, you get other rural buses companies like Triolet bus Bompany (TBS) buses painted in red and white, The Mauritian Bus Transport (MBT) buses painted in yellow and white and their numbers all finish by 747. In 1971 / 1972, there was a big general strike in Mauritius and the transport was heavily penalised and Government introduced public transport run by individuals. One owner could have only one bus and operate it on a line and there were many individuals running individual bus. These individuals, most of them, named their buses with different kind of names like Nina says " King of Love ", and these individual buses are all painted differently with colourful colours and odd and interesting phrases are displayed on them. Clarel for www.mauritius-ilemaurice.com Owner of Lecapitaine Tourist Residence