Wednesday, January 9, 2008

Getting around

The percentage of privately owned cars in PNG is low compared to western countries so finding transport is a constant challenge for many people.

PMVs stop regularly at stops -
Can you guess what PMV stands for?,

.......but on busy days there can be long waits and people can be seen scrambling in the doors, and at times the windows, to secure a berth.

….other people rely on friends and their village vehicles to get around.

It is illegal in PNG to ride in the front of a vehicle without your seat belt on. In the back you just have to hang on I guess. There have been some shocking accidents as you can imagine, as the chances of surviving a collision if you were riding in the back are quite slim.

21 comments:

Donna said...

I really hope you don't have to fight your way to a good seat! lol
Be safe sweetie!

Annie said...

I loved looking around your blog today. You live in a beautiful and colorful place and take interesting photos. I think riding in the back of a truck is illegal here in Utah now, but when I was a kid we used to do it all the time. Dangerous, but invigorating!

Anonymous said...

Rather reminds me of Le Truck in Tahiti. They are similar but in the rear there is an entry, rather like for a bus and then there is bench seating on both sides. Le Truck is a local service for locals and tourists without transport but run by private owners, I think with a licence for particular runs - downtown and back. It was very useful to get to the supermarket and back!

dive said...

Public mini van, Jules?
I don't know. It probably stands for something weird in pidjin.
Why have a car in Rabaul? If I lived where you live I would never want to go anywhere else.

Anonymous said...

I like your photos today Jules. Nice way to describe the public transport in Rabaul.

Abraham Lincoln

M.Benaut said...

I DO remember when I had a bumper sticker which read, "Jo for P.M.T."
I thought that that was just a Queensland thing.
Must be something similar?
Never had one myself, but we used to love the peanuts !

alicesg said...

Very interesting story of transports in PNG. I am glad I get to know more about other countries daily lives through blogs. :)

Jilly said...

Private Motor Vehicle? Nice story and great photos, as always, Jules. So much colour and life.

quintarantino said...

Lovely photos with useful information. I would go for someting on Public Mini Vans... saw things like that in Brazil already.
If I ever go to Rabaul I'll hire a bike.

slim said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
slim said...

Jules, your images are wonderful. . . as always. I really enjoy seeing the people in their colorful clothing. Those vehicles must have great suspension systems. What is the price of fuel?

Tom said...

People Moving Vehical..

Seatbelts in front ha!..

Squirrel said...

People MoVer?

• Eliane • said...

That sounds like an adventure indeed! Loved learning about it.
And I have absolutely no clue what PMV stands for!

Marie said...

I love these photos. Don't they need French teachers in Rabaul ? :-)

Peter Parrott said...

Hello there Jules
Old Wom Tigley is showing me how to leave a comment today.
I don't know how often we can do this so I want to get as many done as I can.
Thank you for commenting on my blog... Tom tells me you have lots of trouble with the phone lines. That means your comments are worth much more to me. Thank you.
Tom shows me pictures of your Island... it is very beautiful.

imac said...

"Passenger Mobile Vehicles"
Prob wrong anyway hehe.

Nice shots and story.

Jules said...

Well done all those that guessed but Tom & Squirrel got the prize!!! Congratulations1!!

Marie - French is not spoken much here but hey - why not start a trend - you are most welcome!!! My French certainly needs a lot of work!!!

M B - PMT - yes I could say what i thought that was but i'd get arrested!!!!

Tom said...

I'll be over ASAP to collect my prize.... 'A bag Of Volcanic Ash will come in Handy'

:O)

Jules said...

Old Tom - I'm sure it would be good for the garden!!!

Ann (MobayDP) said...

lol :) This scene is so familiar to me. Even though we have a lot of cars in Jamaica (far too much in my opinion), we still have a lot of transportation woes.

Our bus stands look just as crowded as this. Children have it the hardest. They pay half teh adult fare and at peak hour the taxis don't want to take them in as passengers. :(