A man walks past public buses at the main bus station of Apia, capital of Samoa, Oct. 22, 2019. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
APIA, Oct. 23, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Most public buses in Samoa are refitted from used trucks imported from overseas. Often featuring wild colours and creative paintings, the buses make an attractive vista in this island country.
For ventilation purposes, there are typically no window glasses in a bus' passenger section and its rear end is openable.
As the buses tend to go slowly on the island's bumpy mountainous roads, any sensible passenger would not choose to stand on the buses for a long journey. Hence a local custom: it is acceptable for passengers without seats to sit on the laps of those with seats. This is a courtesy often offered to visitors as well.
Aerial photo taken on Oct. 22, 2019 shows public buses at the main bus station of Apia, capital of Samoa. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Aerial photo taken on Oct. 22, 2019 shows public buses at the main bus station of Apia, capital of Samoa. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
A woman and a boy get off from a public bus at the main bus station of Apia, capital of Samoa, Oct. 21, 2019.
(Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Passengers get ready for a public bus trip at the main bus station of Apia, capital of Samoa, Oct. 21, 2019.
(Xinhua/Guo Lei)
A man walks past public buses at the main bus station of Apia, capital of Samoa, Oct. 22, 2019. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Photo taken on Oct. 21, 2019 shows the openable rear end of a public bus at the main bus station of Apia, capital of Samoa. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
A vendor sells snack food at the main bus station of Apia, capital of Samoa, Oct. 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Two kids gesture from a bus at the main bus station of Apia, capital of Samoa, Oct. 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
Passengers take a public bus in Apia, capital of Samoa, Oct. 21, 2019. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
A public bus named "Brother Love" runs on a country road in Samoa, Oct. 23, 2019. (Xinhua/Guo Lei)
