Moto-dups

>Litratong Pinoy #1: Ako ay Bilog

Posted by The Insider on Apr 3, 2008 in Cambodia life, Litratong Pinoy, moto-dups, transportation | 0 comments

Ito ang moto-dop o moto-taxi. Kung ang Pilipinas ay may jeepney, ito namang moto-dop ang sagot ng mga Khmer bilang pangunahing transportasyon dito sa Cambodia. Bata, matanda, lalaki o babae – silang lahat ay nakasakay sa moto-dop papunta sa paaralan, opisina, palengke at kung saan-saan.

Sangkatutak na motodop ang nakaka-kalat dito pa lang sa Phnom Penh, ang kabisera ng Cambodia. Sa dami nila, hindi mahirap maka-ispat ng isa dahil halos lahat ng moto-dop driver ay madaling makita sa suot nilang baseball caps.

Gusto mong mamasyal? Mag-liwaliw at mag-shopping? Walang problema. Isang tawag lang ng moto-dop at sa ilang saglit ay nandun ka na sa iyong paparoonan. Ganun sila kabilis! Kung noon ay di pa kailangan ng crash helmet, ngayon ay ipinatutupad na ng gobyerno ang pagsusuot nito. Ang halaga ng pamasahe ay depende sa distansya ng pupuntahan at kung ilan ang pasahero – karaniwang nagsisimula sa 1000riels hanggang 10,000riels (more or less P10-100). Ang halaga ng pamasahe ay tumataas ng doble o hight pa sa pagsapit ng gabi.

Sa itaas na litrato, pinapakita na hindi lang tao ang sinasakay ng mga moto-dops. Kahit ano, actually, pwede, tulad na lang netong bisikleta….

*oist, ang hirap talagang managalog. Pasensiya na po.

Here’s the English text:

In the Philippines, we have the jeepney. Here in Cambodia, the moto-dop or moto-taxi is the most common means of getting around the city and they’re not that difficult to spot! There are tens of thousands of them in the city, and moto-dop drivers are all wearing baseball caps.

So you want to go sightseeing? Go shopping? No problem. Just hop on a motodop, a 100cc scooter. Before, wearing a crash helmet not required but in the recent weeks the government has just implemented a law requiring everyone to wear helmets when riding on motorcycles. A ride across town will cost around 1,000-10,000riels (P10-100), more, depending on the distance, and if there is more than one passenger. The price goes up a little at night.

Motodops not only ferry people around; it’s also used to transport goods.

Wanna join Litratong Pinoy? Hop on over and join us here.

>Wordless Wednesday-Thursday #16 – Express Delivery

Posted by The Insider on Nov 21, 2007 in Cambodia, downtown, moto-dups, sights, transportation, Wordless Wednesday | 0 comments

Moto taxi or motodop is the most common means of getting around the city and they’re not that difficult to spot! There are tens of thousands of them in the city, and they are wearing baseball caps.

So you want to go sightseeing? Go shopping? No problem. Just hop on a motodop, a 100cc scooter, helmet not required. A ride across town will cost around 2,000riels (50cents) to $1, more if there is more than one passenger. The price goes up a little at night.

Motodops not only ferry people around; it’s also used to transport goods.

Visit other WW photos at Wordless Wednesday HQ.

>Photo Hunt # 4 Flexible – Traffic (rules) in Phnom Penh

Posted by The Insider on Nov 11, 2007 in Cambodia, downtown, moto-dups, Phnom Penh, transportation | 1 comment

Hello. I am writing this post straight from Siem Reap for another work-related activity. I am staying at the fabulous Sokha Angkor Hotel, and I am restraining myself from telling you how fab it is here.

Anyways, on to this week’s photo hunt.
This week’s photo hunt theme is a challenge for me. Apart from rubber bands or gymnasts, I have no idea what exactly to put here.

Last Friday night, my husband and I were driving to a friend’s house last Friday, and we were sort of discussing about this week’s theme. We were so into the discussion when, out of nowhere, a black and speeding Toyota corolla overtook us. I screamed at the top of my lungs and cursed the high heavens! Oh yes, this is driving in Phnom Penh.

Let me give you an introduction to Phnom Penh traffic. The roads here are absolutely in chaos, as if there are no road rules to follow. Well, wait, there are NO road rules to follow! My point is… traffic rules are flexible here in Phnom Penh.

Basically, you can do as you please. Traffic rules can be bent or twisted in any way or direction, just like what contortionists to their bodies. To borrow my husband’s words:

The main driving requirements seem to be Eyes in the Back of your Head and an overall acceptance that anything can (and probably will) happen at some point during your journey.

You can drive on the right or the left – whichever side suits you best.
Red lights can be ignored if you please and top speed is a matter of personal choice.
Reversing out into heavy traffic is normal, just do it slowly and everyone will keep on moving around you.

Overtaking, undertaking, overtaking someone that is already overtaking or undertaking, cutting corners, short cuts across the pavements and through petrol stations are no problem,(if you can get onto the pavement, parked cars – street vendors stalls – building materials – refuse – cafe tables – everyone except pedestrians use the pavements).

Okay, there. I thought Phnom Penh’s traffic (rules) would be apt for this week.

So, this is all daytime driving when most are at work.
Can you imagine how it is at night?

Add in the intoxication and anonymity of nighttime and things really begin to get interesting…….