Baghdad's Buses Back in Business

BAGHDAD, May 29, 2009 — -- Baghdad's teetering security situation has overshadowed the city for years since the United States invasion, including the transportation business.

But now that security has finally stabilized, Baghdad's famous red double-deckers are back, venturing to areas which were formerly hotbeds of violence. Bus destination tags now display the names of Baghdad west side neighborhoods like Ghazaliyah, Amiriyah, Jamia'a and Adil.

Only a few days ago employees, students and workers were astonished to see the red double decker driving along the street of Hay Al Jamia'a that used to be a very dangerous road for commuting because of roadside bombs and continuous Al Qaeda attacks.

"It will be lovely to see the old double deckers back in service, but we need more of these," said Nuha, a primary school teacher. "I had to wait for more than 30 minutes to catch a bus -- there should be more lines opened."

Although the red double decker brings back old memories some say that the 500 Iraqi Dinar (40 cents) fare is too expensive. Abu Ali, an elderly gentleman, told the conductor while adjusting his thick glasses, "this is too much. I prefer to take a mini bus that drives much faster and stops less often." To which the conductor replied, "it's the government fee."

Haider Al Obiedi, a car dealer, said that he can't use the double deckers because there is no bus route to his Al Amil neighborhood. "Even if there are government buses I won't be using them because they are slow and the mini buses are much faster and can avoid traffic," he said. "Besides, it's mandatory for red buses to stop at each bus station."

Although the iconic buses of Baghdad are the red double deckers, it seems that the newly imported yellow one-story buses are taking over the streets of Baghdad. The Iraqi Ministry of Transportation announced on its Web site that it has added 80 new yellow buses to the service. Amir Ismael, the transportation minister, took a ride in the new bus and declared, "Baghdadis will be seeing a new cheerful bus that looks much different than they used to see in the past."

Baghdad Still Loyal to Iconic Red Double Deckers

But people seem to be skeptical about the yellow buses. "When I first saw the yellow bus, especially with the driver wearing a full uniform with cap, I thought the bus is dedicated only for government employees, it was so confusing," said Jamal, a journalist.

Alya'a, who works at Al Mustansiriyah University, said he likes the yellow buses, but added, "the transportation ministry missed one... air-conditioning, they forgot how hot it is during summer."

Red buses used to be so popular in Iraq -- and in Baghdad in particular -- that the Iraqi Cinema house even produced a movie about red double deckers called "The Conductor" back in 1968.

The movie portrays the daily troubles of a fat conductor who can't move freely on a narrow, overcrowded bus. It also depicts the daily lives of Baghdadis, showing passengers who, for lack of other forums, discuss many of their problems including family issues with perfect strangers, hoping for the right counsel.

Despite the entry of the bright yellow buses, many Iraqis still have a fondness for their old red double deckers. Baghdad resident Khalaf Mohammed, a retiree aged 63, said, "I still take the red bus no matter what...and I always take the second story and [sit] next to the window so I can see my beloved city... destroyed by wars."

Riding the bus buoys his hopes, he added. "I feel extremely happy when I see through the window some workers renovating what has been damaged."