On the island of Itaparica, public transportation consists of taxis and Kombis. A Kombi is a Volkswagen van fitted out with three rows of seats. The Kombis serve as the bus system of the island. Two people run them, the driver and the conductor, who collects the money and helps people in and out of the van.

I have been aboard a Kombi with 15 adults and one child. Some people had to stand crouching on that trip, and two lay down in the cargo area above the (rear) engine. There are no seatbelts. Because the roads have many potholes or are cobblestone, the Kombis (and all other traffic) don't go very fast, but it is always a bumpy ride.