Tap tap

{{Short description|Decorated Haitian vehicle}} {{other uses}} thumb|right|A ''tap tap'' bus used for longer journeys

'''''Tap taps''''' ({{langx|ht|Taptap}}, {{IPA|ht|taptap|pron}}) are gaily painted buses<ref name=pbs/> or pick-up trucks with metal covers<ref name=tt>[http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/southamerica/tap-tap.shtml Haiti: Tap-taps] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130204231641/http://www.traveladventures.org/continents/southamerica/tap-tap.shtml |date=2013-02-04 }} traveladventures.org</ref> that serve as share taxis in Haiti. They may also be referred to as ''camionettes''.<ref>{{cite book |author=Paul Clammer, Michael Grosberg, Jens Porup | title =Dominican Republic and Haiti | publisher =Lonely Planet | edition =4th | year =2008 | pages =355 | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=Kjde3Fmwb7IC&q=camionette%20haiti&pg=PA355 | isbn =9781741042924 }}</ref>

Literally meaning "quick quick",<ref name=kiakia/> these vehicles for hire are privately owned and ornately decorated.<ref name=pbs/> They follow fixed routes, won't leave until filled with passengers, and riders can disembark at any point in the journey.<ref name=blog1>[https://katianovetsaintlot.blogspot.com/2010/02/my-haiti-picture-for-today-tap-tap.html My Haiti Picture for today : Tap-Tap] katianovetsaintlot.blogspot.com, February 9, 2010</ref>

==Decoration== [[File:Haiti Weekend 048 (8070542854).jpg|thumb|Tap tap in Port-au-Prince.]] Often painted with religious names or slogans,<ref name=kiakia>Tap-tap, fula-fula, kia-kia: The Haitian bus in Atlantic perspective. Thompson, Robert Farris. African Arts. Los Angeles: Spring 1996. Vol. 29, Iss. 2; p. 36</ref> the ''tap tap'' is known for its lavish decoration, and many feature wild colors, portraits of famous people such as Justin Bieber and Michael Jackson, and intricate, hand-cut wooden window covers. Some window covers are also made of metal.<ref name=pbs>[https://web.archive.org/web/20100402004812/http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/weather/jan-june10/haiti_03-30.html Haiti's 'Tap Tap' Bus Art Flourishes After Quake] PBS Newshour, March 30, 2010</ref>

==Travel warnings== thumb|right|''Tap tap'' cab in Port-au-Prince Many developed countries inform their citizens to not take ''tap taps'' when visiting Haiti.

===Canada=== While saying not to use any form of public transport in Haiti, the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada advises against ''tap tap'' travel especially.<ref>[http://www.voyage.gc.ca/countries_pays/report_rapport-eng.asp?id=117000#9 TRAVEL REPORT Haiti: 9. Travel and Currency] Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada Official Site</ref>

===United States=== The US State Department warns travelers not to use ''tap taps'' "because they are often overloaded, mechanically noisy, and driven unsafely".<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20110121101454/http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_5239.html Travel Warning: Haiti] US Department of State Official Site, January 20, 2011</ref>

==See also== {{commons category}} *Dekotora *Jeepney *Jingle truck *Chiva bus *Auto rickshaw *Chicken bus *Matatu

==References== {{reflist}}

Category:Share taxis Category:Road transport in Haiti Category:Decorated vehicles Category:Buses by type