Dolmuş
In Turkey and Northern Cyprus, dolmuş (pronounced [do̞ɫmuʃ]) are share taxis that run set routes within and between cities.
Background
Their name is derived from Turkish for "apparently stuffed"; referencing the fact that in days past these taxis were often filled to the brim. They depart from the terminal only when a sufficient number of passengers have boarded.
In some cities dolmuş are only allowed to board and disembark passengers at designated stops or at terminals; in less busy locations passengers may board anywhere along the route. In fact, a dolmuş with empty seats may slow to a crawl in the hopes of picking up a few more riders.
A foreign passenger described the ride as being "terrifying, awe-inspiring, confusing, incomprehensible, charming, hospitable and alien", and those unfamiliar with them may be surprised by the speed of dolmuş travel.
In Turkey the vehicles used are often brand-new minibuses, but in some parts of Cyprus you can–as of 2009–still see aging Mercedes-Benz stretch limos serving as dolmuş.
Share taxi
A share taxi is a mode of transport which falls between both taxicabs and buses. These vehicles for hire are typically smaller than buses and usually take passengers on a fixed or semi-fixed route without timetables, but instead departing when all seats are filled. They may stop anywhere to pick up or drop off passengers. Often found in developing countries, the vehicles used as share taxis range from four-seat cars to minibuses. They are often owner-operated.
The UITP term "informal transport" includes share taxis.
Operation
Terminus
A given share taxi route may start and finish in fixed central locations, and landmarks may serve as route names or route termini. In some African cities routes are run between formal termini, where the majority of passengers board. In these places the share taxis wait for a full load of passengers prior to departing, and off-peak wait times may be in excess of an hour.
In other places there may be no formal termini, with taxis simply congregating at a central location, instead.
Podcasts:
