Zambian transport

Last time I lived here, I was the proud owner/driver of a Toyota Hilux, single cab for aficionados which means a single bench seat in the cab for driver plus 2 passengers and a largo open back, perfect for offering strangers lifts while staying safe or carrying large items of furniture, 25 school kids or 3 coffins, all of which I had opportunity to do.  Some creativity was needed during the rainy season with waterproof sheets and ropes and sun protection for back space passengers in the form of chitenges but it was a great asset.  Called Hildah the Hilux.
This time, living 15 km from Lusaka on Kafue Road, part of the Great North Cape to Cairo road, buses are plentiful and cheap.  They are rather well-used minibuses, painted a bright blue with names like "Excelsior" " Lord of the Roads" or simply "Alleluia!".  The conductor/money collector, hangs out and, spotting a potential passenger, issues a loud, high pitched whistle to attract attention and tells the driver to stop if the passenger shows interest whereon the driver swerves off the road to the dusty non-tarmac area beside, often careering dangerously close to a ditch or chasm.  The lucky passenger is then packed into the already heavingly overloaded bus which shoots out into the heavy traffic.  BUT, I can get to Lusaka for 5,000 Kwacha, about 60p and the speed is good, the only exception being when a bus is beginning its journey when it will wait until stuffed with paying passengers to maximise the income generated.
I see interesting people on the bus;  the early (8am) voluble drunk man,  young women chatting on their mobile phones, school children travelling to school in beautifully laundered white socks (how long can that last in this land of brown dust?) tiny babies sleeping snugly wrapped in woolly jumpers and knitted hats, tied to their mothers' backs with brightly coloured and patterned chitenges.
So no regrets for swapping my transport to the bus- and I can get the occasional taxi without  coming near the cost of running another Hildah- just pray I don't end up in that chasm!