Traffic and transpostation is probably the largest subject I could hope to tackle here on this media interface. There are, depending on who you talk to, everyone seems to have a different number, anywhere from 8 million to 12 million people in Alexandria. And everybody needs to go somewhere at just about any time of the day. There aren't many times when the streets are not bustling with combustible-gasoline-fed energy.
Types of public transportation:
1) Taxi - On the roads of Cairo in 2008 there were 1 million taxis pummeling the streets. I wouldn't doubt it if there were that many in Alexandria by this point. Taxis are popular but more expensive. You can expect to pay about a dollar for a ride to most places in the city. You can also expect to ride often with more than one passenger as the driver will pick up other customers along the way.
Bargaining is an essential part of riding taxis. If you're Egyptian expect to pay the proper price and not receive any flack from the driver about him being shorted. If you're a foreigner, especially one that doesn't speak Arabic, expect to be generously overcharged. I would estimate an average overcharge to be about double the actual price.
There are no meters either. Well, there are no meters in actual use. You can see the meter sitting on the dashboard, screen blank, probably having not been used in who knows how long. If the meter were to actually work that would probably put a dent in exploiting foreigners...
The way in which you pay the taxi is also of importance. You don't sit in the cab and fumble through your pockets looking for exact change. No! Alight from the taxi, close the door, and pay from outside. If you know that the price you paid is correct, don't tarry waiting for his approval, rather turn and walk away. Asking Egyptian friends before riding is a good way to estimate the appropriate prices for individual trips.
If the taxi driver knows you are a foreigner, and a clueless one at that, there is a possibility he's going to prolong the trip by taking a different route, or getting stuck in traffic, for the purpose of increasing the fare. Knowing the route and knowing where to pick up the taxi is essential so as to shorten the route and lessen the fare.
2) Microbus - coming in the next edition
3) Tram - dido
4) Bus - don't have much experience with them. They seem crowded, rowdy, and cheap though.
p.s. - i would say the above picture is no where near an exaggeration of how driving on the streets of Alexandria looks.
Types of public transportation:
1) Taxi - On the roads of Cairo in 2008 there were 1 million taxis pummeling the streets. I wouldn't doubt it if there were that many in Alexandria by this point. Taxis are popular but more expensive. You can expect to pay about a dollar for a ride to most places in the city. You can also expect to ride often with more than one passenger as the driver will pick up other customers along the way.
Bargaining is an essential part of riding taxis. If you're Egyptian expect to pay the proper price and not receive any flack from the driver about him being shorted. If you're a foreigner, especially one that doesn't speak Arabic, expect to be generously overcharged. I would estimate an average overcharge to be about double the actual price.
There are no meters either. Well, there are no meters in actual use. You can see the meter sitting on the dashboard, screen blank, probably having not been used in who knows how long. If the meter were to actually work that would probably put a dent in exploiting foreigners...
The way in which you pay the taxi is also of importance. You don't sit in the cab and fumble through your pockets looking for exact change. No! Alight from the taxi, close the door, and pay from outside. If you know that the price you paid is correct, don't tarry waiting for his approval, rather turn and walk away. Asking Egyptian friends before riding is a good way to estimate the appropriate prices for individual trips.
If the taxi driver knows you are a foreigner, and a clueless one at that, there is a possibility he's going to prolong the trip by taking a different route, or getting stuck in traffic, for the purpose of increasing the fare. Knowing the route and knowing where to pick up the taxi is essential so as to shorten the route and lessen the fare.
2) Microbus - coming in the next edition
3) Tram - dido
4) Bus - don't have much experience with them. They seem crowded, rowdy, and cheap though.
p.s. - i would say the above picture is no where near an exaggeration of how driving on the streets of Alexandria looks.
As salaam alaykum latif, it is halima rebecca. Not sure how to work this thing yet, but wanted you to know i am thinking of you and sending you many blessings! Alhamduli'llah.
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