A passenger has to quickly jump on or off of the bus while it is moving! Even though the seats are made for two people, it is very common that they are occupied by three and a half! The bus drivers and their assistants want to fill the bus with as many people as possible, because every fare sold means more money for them.
When you get on the bus, you do not pay immediately. Instead you wait for the assistant to come by to collect money. You have to tell him when you need to get off, because there is no stop button. Nevertheless, when your stop is approaching along a route, you have to go near the front and ask to get off. The buses stop anywhere along the route, but the driver must know your intentions first.
The chicken bus is connected to the culture of Guatemala in many ways. The diversity of Guatemalans people on the bus provides a window into the culture of Guatemala. Some people say that the term "Chicken Bus" comes from the fact that many of the women from the countryside bring woven baskets containing live chickens with them on to the buses to and from the markets. The buses have metal bars on the roof where the bus assistant places baskets of food or Mayan artisanal products. Another way that the buses are connected to Guatemalan culture through their beautifully painted surfaces. The owners paint the buses in the style they want, but the bright colors are also typical of Guatemalan culture. Part of the painting includes the name given to the bus in large letters. Sometimes the name has a religious significance, such as "Santa Maria" or "Jesus."
