Lusaka - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
I haven't used the buses. There is an Uber like service called Ulendo that people use sometimes, and private drivers are easy to find. - Mar 2022
I don't take public transportation. There's an app that's somewhat similar to Uber and not expensive, and there are private drivers for hire. - Dec 2021
Not particularly. Taxis are OK but it's hard to find an official company taxi. I think there are a couple of taxi companies but I have never used them. A lot of people just have the phone number of a guy who has a car. - Feb 2018
The embassy recommends specific taxis. No trains or trams here and the buses are NOT SAFE. - Nov 2017
Buses are very unsafe. Trains barely operate. Taxis are OK, as long as they're official and trusted. Some Americans contract with local drivers, but they can be unreliable, though their rates are usually reasonable. - Jan 2017
DO NOT TAKE THE BUSES - EVER. Taxis are okay, and the Embassy has a list of safe ones to use. - Jun 2016
Taxis are available and safe as long as you have the number for a reliable driver. I would not trust any other form of local transportation as minibus drivers are reckless and often drunk. - May 2016
None of those are recommended or safe. - Mar 2015
Not safe and not affordable. If using a reliable taxi driver I think the price is about US$10 each way. - Aug 2014
No and we are not authorized to use them per RSO. - Jan 2014
It is not advised to use any of the above, with the possible exception of some longer-distance bus companies that focus on providing transport to tourist areas like Livingstone (Victoria Falls). Other buses, and taxis, are poorly maintained and most drivers of them seem insane, criminal or at the very least daredevils with deathwishes. - Apr 2013
Buses in town are probably ok, but not comfy - as they usually squeeze 18 people into one minibus designed for 8-10. They are very affordable, but often take a long time to depart from the stop if they aren't full, and all go through a local downtown hub system. Taxis are generally ok, if you stick with official blue ones but they're $10 minimum from anywhere to anywhere and can go up from there. no trains, except from Lusaka to Daar Es Salaam. - Jul 2010
It's not encouraged and very expensive to take a private taxi. - Mar 2009
They are affordable, but really should not be used for safety and security reasons. - Mar 2009
Affordable, reasonably safe and quite smelly. - Oct 2008
There are few local trains. buses are safe from assault, but are risky from a driver's skill perspective. They are however pretty cheap. There are larger aircon buses that run to livingstone, but they crash too occassionally. Taxis are safe during the day. - Aug 2008
Most people do not hail cabs on the street, although the tourist hotels are able to call cabs for service. - May 2008
