- Dolmuş
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In Turkey and Turkish controlled Northern Cyprus, dolmuş (pronounced "dolmoosh") are share taxis that run set routes within and between cities.[1][2]
Departing from the terminal only when a sufficient amount of passengers have boarded, their name is derived from Turkish for "apparently stuffed" for this reason.[3]
In some cities dolmuş are only allowed to board and disembark passengers at designated stops or at terminals;[1] in less busy locations passengers may board anywhere along the route.
A foreign passenger described the ride as being "terrifying, awe-inspiring, confusing, incomprehensible, charming, hospitable and alien", and those unfamiliar with them may be surprised by the speed of dolmuş travel.[4]
In Turkey the vehicles used are usually brand new minibuses,[3] but in some parts of Cyprus you can, as of 2009, still see aging Mercedes stretch limos serving as dolmuş.[5]
Turkish regulation
In Turkey the industry is regulated. Despite the meaning of their name, laws prevent these minibuses from becoming too crowded.[3]
Cyprus regulation
In Turkish controlled Northern Cyprus, dolmuş routes are leased and vehicles are licensed.[5]
References
- ^ a b "Turkish Dolmus Taxi or Minibus". turkeytravelplanner.com. http://www.turkeytravelplanner.com/trans/LocalTransport/Dolmush.html.
- ^ WHAT'S DOING IN ANKARA nytimes.com, April 5, 1981
- ^ a b c "Getting Around in Fethiye - The Dolmus". turkeysforlife.blogspot.com. Saturday, 3 April 2010. http://turkeysforlife.blogspot.com/2010/04/getting-around-in-fethiye-dolmus.html.
- ^ "Dolmuş story". hurriyetdailynews.com,. 2010-01-19. http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/n.php?n=dolmus-story-2010-01-19.
- ^ a b Bus Services in North Cyprus essentialcyprus.com, January 28, 2009
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