A variety of public transport that is for all and actually safe and affordable. From buses, trolleybuses, trams, taxis and the metro, they have it all. An experience that most of us South Africans are not familiar with.
It didn’t take long before I got accustomed to the transport system and rely on it to get me from one point to another without feeling like I’m stuck and can’t move about. I know I mentioned public transport in a previous post, but I thought it deserves a post of its own.
Let’s start with Taxis.
The only taxis you will find are the Uber kinds. There is Uber, Yandex Taxi and some other taxis where you ‘phone a taxi’ or you could catch one on the go, but ….no minibus taxis!
Taxis are helpful when you want to get to a specific place where the bus don’t stop, rarely even pass by or if you have to transfer from one bus to another and sometimes still have to walk a bit to actually get to your destination. If you don’t mind that (which I don’t actually – most of the times – and have done it this way more than once), then you don’t have to get a taxi. But if you want or need to get there fast without all the extra stops, then a taxi is what you’ll need.
My experience with the Ubers here, the few times when I took one, has only been good and efficient. I had to order a taxi for me and my friends more than once, when we went on outings and needed to meet our teacher. She would send me the address and I will arrange a taxi. Same when we went out for our Christmas Celebration. Quick “Uber order” and you’re on your way.
When I came back to Kazan after New Year’s, I got an Uber to the hostel. It was really cold and I started to get some flu symptoms already when I was in SA. So, when I arrived in the cold, my nose would just not stop running and I didn’t have anything with me at that moment. My Uber driver started talking to me, friendly, and said that I should get medicine so that I won’t get a cold. Just before we got to my hostel he gave me some medicine that helps for a cold. He was really nice but not chatting me up. We only spoke for 2% (in Russian) of the 30/40 min ride. But don’t worry, I checked the medicine when I got home and it was legit. I didn’t end up drinking it and took my own. Luckily, I didn’t actually get sick!
Now, the way I get around Kazan everyday: By bus, trolleybus, tram (depends which arrives first), and the metro!
The perks of all transport, besides taxis, they all cost the same. 25 Rubles. That’s R5,41. There is also options to buy a transport card and load money on, then it will only cost you 23 Rubles. (R4,95) Of course there is also some good deals that you can choose from. You choose a deal that suits your preferences and pay one set amount each month and then you get unlimited rides on any transport, depending on the option you chose. I chose the unlimited package including all the transport options. This way I can use whichever, whenever. (Taxis are not part of this system) I use the little stipend I get from the Russian government to pay my monthly transport, then I don’t even need to budget for it. Bonus! 😀
Then there is an option of renting a car, but I wouldn’t go so far unless I want to travel about and if a car works out cheaper and more practical than a train or bus. But I highly doubt that I would. At least that option is also there….just in case. 😀
Not having my own car in SA didn’t really give me the full feeling of independency, but here, it doesn’t matter. In fact, I feel more independent having to take public transport because you have to check bus schedules sometimes, different routes and the different means of transport to get to your destination etc. Being able to navigate like this and move about in a foreign country will really give you your independency. Well, if you’re a University students or work here. If you’re under age, I would say eventually there will come a point where even good public transport will have its limits.
Although you are young doesn’t mean traveling on your own is not an option. I was on my way to the metro the other day and a little girl, about 9 or 10 years old, was also on her way to the metro. We kinda walked together all the way and she got on the metro all by herself and went her own way. So, if that doesn’t say how much more safer it is here, I don’t know what will. At the metro station, there is always police. If you come with a backpack, duffel bag or even just your handbag sometimes, you have to put it through a scanner, almost like at the airport, and then you may go through the little slots where you throw your plastic coin that you just bought to go through or scan your transport card.
On the train (Metro), you will hear an announcement every time you reach a station, that if you see any unattended items, to contact a police officer immediately. You can definitely say they take their security seriously. But that is why it’s so safe.
Does anyone want to come and visit? All the transport are safe and tourist friendly! They even announce the bus stops and metro stations in English! There’s even a tourist “Hop on Hop off” bus!
I truly hope that South Africa will one day, not too far from now, also have a good, safe, affordable and a variety of transport systems for everyone in our country. It will make a lot of lives easier and reduce the heavy traffic.
I hope you guys liked this week’s post. Please leave your requests in the comments. It doesn’t have to be just about Kazan. It could be about anything you are interested in to know about, from me!
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Have a blessed and wonderful week!
To Live is To Dance
xoxo
