While taxis, shuttles, trains and buses are the usual modes of public transportation in most developed countries around the world, Tahiti has its own unique version of public transit: Le Truck.
Basically a six- or four-wheeled truck converted into a bus, these vehicles are usually painted with unique designs and bright colors. Some also carry commercial advertisements on the left, right and rear sides just like buses in some US cities. Most will also have blaring sound systems to complete the unique riding experience. Le Truck is more readily available in more populated islands of French Polynesia. Because of that, it's no surprise that most of these vehicles can be found in Papeete.
What's inside: Passengers basically sit on two parallel benches that run the length of the back carriage. You get on it from a side entrance and pay your fare (around $1.25 francs or so) to the driver. These vehicles usually have predetermined stops, you can get on one from anywhere as long as there's a place for them to pull over the side of the road to let you get on. The same can be said when disembarking: just ring the bell and they'll pull over at a convenient road shoulder.
Service routes: If you're in Papeete, Le Truck service covers the entire island. It's really a cheap way to get around and see the sights and convenient enough that you can hail one within less than five minutes or so.
photograph by Charles F. Urbanowicz [2005]. Taken from http://www.csuchico.edu/~curbanowicz/Tahiti2005.html
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