LangMedia
Palestinian Arabic in Jordan
Local Buses
To ride the local bus, one pays with coins once aboard. Large buses have machines for the coins and exact change is required. On smaller buses, the driver may have small change available. Local buses have set routes but not set stops; thus, a passenger may request a stop anywhere along the route. In older buses, one knocks on the window or calls out to the driver, whereas newer buses have push button signals.
Another form of local public transportation is the service taxi, a five passenger car which travels a set route. Passengers may ask to be let out anywhere along the route. Rather than observing a timetable, service taxis depart when full. Even so, these taxis are still usually faster than travel by bus.
Service taxis cost more than a bus but are less expensive than a regular taxi. There is a set fare for each route, indicated by a sign on the dashboard, and passengers pay the driver during the trip. Drivers may be able to make small change but will not take large bills. It is not the custom to tip the drivers.