Bamako - Post Report Question and Answers
Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Taxis are affordable but generally not recommended. There are green "buses" called "sotramas" which are often crammed to the gills with commuting Malians. There are also many taxis. None of these are considered safe, though embassy personnel are not prohibited from using taxis. - Apr 2017
We've been advised to not take taxis because of the potential of a car accident and the poor medical care available in Bamako. Taxi drivers, moto drivers, bus drivers, ANY driver in Mali drives crazy. They do not pay attention. Do not follow traffic rules (if there are any). None get a license before getting behind the wheel. Many drive at night without lights. Many will speed up the left side of your car while you're taking a left turn. Many put their whole family (including newborns) and farm animals (including goats) on one tiny moto. It's a sight to be seen. And also ridiculously dangerous. If you drive slowly and defensively, you should be fine. However every single person I know in Bamako has had a moto hit his/her car, many times while completely stopped (moto drivers are seriously horrible drivers and will plow right into your car. Luckily I've never heard of anyone getting into a serious accident. Usually the moto driver will get up, say sorry, and be on their way). - Aug 2014
Few people use them. Taxis are old, dilapidated, but safe. You have to haggle over price in French/Bambara, which is a deterrent for many. - Jul 2011
You can use the local 'douroni' (green mini vans) which are cheap and safe, but packed! Otherwise, taxis are very cheap and safe. No big buses. - Jul 2011
They are safe to use (though accidents are common) despite the Embassy's warnings against taking local public transportation. Stick to taxis (numerous, cheap, easy to find since they're yellow) and find out what the going rates are for going from point A to point B since you will have to negotiate with the driver.5,000 CFA is the most I've paid, and that was to travel from the airport to Badalabougou. The local train is pretty filthy, but it will make for an interesting story to tell your grandchildren. It runs (when it runs) from Bamako to Dakar with many stops along the way. - Oct 2010
It's affordable but i wouldn't say safe. Theres no seat belts and the drivers tend to drive too fast. However, taxi's are used by a lot of people and 4 dollars can get you pretty much anywhere around town. - May 2010
I know people who've ridden the train, but I wouldn't. It derails regularly. Buses are old Mercedes delivery trucks packed with people in 100+ degree heat. Sure they're cheap as heck (200cfa ~50 cents) but why would you do that to yourself? Taxis, on the other hand, are just fine if you need one. 500-2000 cfa (1-4 USD) will get you pretty much wherever you need to go. No A/C of course. - Sep 2009
Taxis and cheap and safe. There are lots of motos on the roads. One must exercise caution when driving. - Apr 2009
Not very safe and not recommended. - Feb 2009
We took taxis, but not buses or Sotramas - small mini-buses many people use. I wouldn't take a long trip by bus, as we saw many overturned on road trips. - Feb 2009
Safe with regards to crime and affordable but I would not recommend their use as the vehicles themselves are old and hazardous. - Jan 2009
