h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Also known as 'dolmus', these can take about eight to ten people in cramped but not desperate conditions, and operate in tourist areas. After picking you up, the driver will cruise around until he has picked up a full cab. Then you'll roar off to your destination, and I choose my verb carefully. Dolmus drivers provide a dizzying high you usually only get from riding rollercoasters or wrestling alligators, and their destruction-derby brand of driving is made worse by the Turkish roads, particularly in the country. The drivers have a friendly competitive spirit among themselves that often leads to twenty terrified tourists being dragged along as they live out their private 'Days Of Thunder' fantasies on a crowded motorway.
The fare can be quite cheap, but the drivers will try to rip you off if they think you're unfamiliar with the currency so make sure you're clear on the amount. Also, make sure you have somewhere to hold on to.
Or walk.

Ah, the dolmus (pronounced 'dol moosh') - a fun form of transport if ever there was one.

And in some areas they tend to be a little more 'energetic' about their driving - sometimes simply slowing down to let passengers out, then speeding off to their next destination. The drivers also have an uncanny ability to take your cash and give you the correct change without looking at your money

- or the road, for that matter


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