Conchos are a cheaper and less oficial form of taxi that they have here in the Dominican Republic. The conchos are also known as "shared taxis."
It basically works like this: personal cars get licensed to drive a particular route and drive this route all day. A letter on the front windshield or side of the car lets the customer know what route that driver has.
The customer hails the concho just like a taxi and gets in and tells the concho driver where along the route to be dropped off. Sometimes the concho hails the customer, because the concho drivers honk their horns at pedestrians while slowing down, looking to see if the customer is interested.
What is interesting about the conchos is how people ride in them. It is not unusual to see the driver have four, five, or even six passengers in a car (imagine seven people in a small sedan). Personal space in this mode of transportation isn't an option!
It basically works like this: personal cars get licensed to drive a particular route and drive this route all day. A letter on the front windshield or side of the car lets the customer know what route that driver has.
The customer hails the concho just like a taxi and gets in and tells the concho driver where along the route to be dropped off. Sometimes the concho hails the customer, because the concho drivers honk their horns at pedestrians while slowing down, looking to see if the customer is interested.
What is interesting about the conchos is how people ride in them. It is not unusual to see the driver have four, five, or even six passengers in a car (imagine seven people in a small sedan). Personal space in this mode of transportation isn't an option!
For the price they really can't be beat. A single ride costs 20 pesos, which is about 45 cents. As long as the concho has a tag on the outside, they are licensed and are safe. Most run in the morning for the commuters.
My first concho ride was last week with a Dominican student, and we got into a car with only one other person. As the concho went on its route though we picked up more people until we were full: four people in back and three up front. Coming from the U.S. where personal space is basically a constitutional right, it was quite a change!
If you really think about it, its a great mode of transportation. There is almost no wait for a concho, and having multiple people to a car is not only cheaper for the client but saves gas and keeps excess vehicles off the road. Of course, it does get dangerous if there are more people than seatbelts!
My first concho ride was last week with a Dominican student, and we got into a car with only one other person. As the concho went on its route though we picked up more people until we were full: four people in back and three up front. Coming from the U.S. where personal space is basically a constitutional right, it was quite a change!
If you really think about it, its a great mode of transportation. There is almost no wait for a concho, and having multiple people to a car is not only cheaper for the client but saves gas and keeps excess vehicles off the road. Of course, it does get dangerous if there are more people than seatbelts!
Driving: Traffic Laws optional
From my experience in Ecuador and Guatemala, and now the DR, it seems most developing nations have a crazy traffic and even crazier drivers, at least compared to the U.S.
Every car and bus seems rushed, and there is a lot of quick accelerating and quick stops. I still have no idea how the intersections work here, but I know there are traffic lights. There aren't many turn arrows, so even if you have a red light if it looks safe you go for it. Cars merge without notice and sometimes with only inches of clearance. Motorcycles weave in and out and between cars and busses.
But you know what? For as reckless as the driving may seem, I have never seen an accident. Most cars have a flawless body, too. So what's with this paradox?
I think that since the city is a more crowded space most cars are not going at the speeds American cars usually travel. I suspect that since drivers here have a lot more hazards around them, they are more aware of their surroundings and check around them more frequently than in the States.
I also havent seen anyone on a cell phone while driving, which I though was really strange. I havent seen anyone talking on the phone and certainly no one texting while driving either. I really think that its this heightened awareness that allows everyone to drive how they can!
Every car and bus seems rushed, and there is a lot of quick accelerating and quick stops. I still have no idea how the intersections work here, but I know there are traffic lights. There aren't many turn arrows, so even if you have a red light if it looks safe you go for it. Cars merge without notice and sometimes with only inches of clearance. Motorcycles weave in and out and between cars and busses.
But you know what? For as reckless as the driving may seem, I have never seen an accident. Most cars have a flawless body, too. So what's with this paradox?
I think that since the city is a more crowded space most cars are not going at the speeds American cars usually travel. I suspect that since drivers here have a lot more hazards around them, they are more aware of their surroundings and check around them more frequently than in the States.
I also havent seen anyone on a cell phone while driving, which I though was really strange. I havent seen anyone talking on the phone and certainly no one texting while driving either. I really think that its this heightened awareness that allows everyone to drive how they can!