People in taxi vans

In Lubumbashi a taxi van is called a dubai for the country from which they were purchased and imported. Other than walking, dubais are the most common mode of transportation used in DRC.

The 17 seats in each taxi accommodate 15 passengers, the driver and the receiver. One passenger sits on the front seat between the driver and the receiver, six are seated on the next two rows and 8 sit on benches against the sides of the van where the seats have been removed to give an open space in the middle for packages.

The fares average US $.30 for each leg of a route. The driver is assisted by a paid "receiver" who calls out for passengers on the street, manages the door for their entry and exit, and collects the fares. Often the receiver stands in the open doorway of the moving vehicle to make himself heard and seen.

Hand signals of the receiver indicate the taxi's destination or route the driver is taking. Notice the wad of bills in the receiver's hand in the last photo.