Common slogans are “Borom Touba” (meaning “Leader of Touba” and signififying a particular group of Muslims who are based in the holy city of Touba, known as the Mourides), “Alhamdoulilah” (a Wolof/French version of the Arabic phrase “praise God”), and “Doy Waar” (a Wolof reference to “hard work” and allegiance to a particular religious group). The second type of bus is slightly more expensive and is called “TATA,” named for the Indian auto company of the same name. TATA buses are easily identified by the blue-and-white paint scheme and can also be decorated with slogans similar to the car rapides. Both car rapides and TATA busses are guided by boys who hang off the back and bang on the side of the bus to alert the driver to a potential passenger. The third type of bus is called Dakar Dem Dikk (“Dakar, Go and Come”) and is the most expensive of the three bus options. These are usually brown and look like typical city buses you would see in the U.S. DDD buses have flat-screen TVs that display local news and commercials to help you take your mind off the commute.
Taxis: There are two basic types of taxis in Dakar. The first is just called “taxi” and can be owned independently by the driver or by an owner who may have several taxis in their fleet. On the outside, taxis are almost always yellow and black, but on the inside they can be very different. You must bargain your fare with the taxi driver BEFORE you get in or you will have to pay whatever they say! Taxis can also have many of the same slogans painted on the outside as car rapides and TATA buses. Additionally, many taxis have a horse tail (or two!) hanging off the back bumper.
