Go2Yalta :: Marshrutka

[http://www.go2yalta.com/] Web Go2Yalta.com Yalta Travel Guide About Yalta Embassies Visas Getting There Sights in Yalta Massandra Winery Seaside Yalta's Best Show All Sights »»» Essentials Apartments & Hotels Communications Emergencies Healthcare Money Transport Airlines City Transport Trains & Buses Map of Yalta Food & Drinks Restaurants Wines of Crimea BBC Weather Weather Channel Ukraine News Yalta Blog Image Galery RSS available Marshrutka Russian: "маршрутное такси" (routed taxicab) plural , маршрутки, marshrutki United States - jitney History Start of a marshrutka route in Yalta Widespread use of route taxis in Ukraine (and Russia) grew out of the rundown condition of public busses and the need for rapid, versatile transport throughout metropolitan areas. It costs more, sometimes four times the fare, to use route taxis compared to public busses. But the convenience and sometimes less crowded conditions have made them a popular alternative. The main advantage cited for using route taxis is that would-be commuters can flag them down anywhere and drivers can stop anywhere along the route. Public busses can only stop at designated bus stops. Route taxis began as small 15-person vans, the Russian-made GAZelle, which have been supplanted by larger and better models from competing Western manufacturers. Many smaller vans can still be found in service. Newer, larger vans can be and often are packed to 50 persons. Riding a Marshrutka The best place to catch a route taxi is at one of the many designated bus stops, especially at the beginning of the route. Buses are empty at the beginning so it’s easier to get a seat. The bus fills as the route begins so some may have to stand. To hail the bus simply put out your hand as it approaches. Even though you’re at the stop the driver may assume nobody wants a ride and pass by, especially if he’s in a hurry. It’s not necessary to be at a stop to hail a route taxi and you can usually get a ride just about anywhere. The driver himself and sometimes an assistant will take the fare from you. Some pay as they enter the bus while others grab a seat first. For the latter the money is passed from person-to-person up to the driver. If you’re sitting next to the aisle or standing then you may be called upon to pass the money forward (and the change backward). Exact change is not required but it makes things easier for everyone. To stop the driver most will call out “на остановке” (nast’-a-novkie), meaning “on stop”, as the bus approaches the stop. Also, you can call out the street name as it approaches or simple say “здесь пожалуйста” (zdyes pazhaloosta) meaning “here please”. Useful Links | Privacy Policy | Disclaimer | Contact Copyright © 2006 OS Technologies, Inc. All rights reserved