Used the bus in Rhodes for the first time today - going, it was a MAN Regio. Coming back, some sort of Neoplan coach.
For a 30min+ journey (12mile), the fare was €2.20, which I thought reasonable.
Buses were heaving and drivers were radio-ing in to control letting them know of the queues of passengers dotted around.
Additional buses were put out, some running short to certain popular destinations, such as the waterpark in Faliaraki.
Inspectors were also out on the buses, although not sure what they were doing, other than maybe monitoring loads - certainly didn't check tickets.
Coming back on the coach, I witnessed the Greek temperament at its best.
Seeing a waiting passenger standing by the side of the road (not at a stop), the driver was wanting to leave her - the inspector made him stop.
On boarding, both the driver and inspector made a point in explaining it wasn't a bus stop and pointed out the next flag as we passed it.
The driver also got a berating as he whizzed past a young lad waiting - being forced to stop by the inspector, who apologised to the lad.
On boarding a bus by the road, you are expected to pay the driver.
In Rhodes, you pay at the KTEL kiosk in the bus station and show the driver your ticket - except that is what is supposed to happen.
Some locals paid on boarding, the rest of the locals and all tourists, bought at the kiosk.
Timetables - they're a mystery.
Routes aren't allocated a number.
They don't list via points either.
Despite several buses passing through the place we are staying, only one service actually lists it as a destination on the timetable.
You basically look at the map and if a bus is going to a town, village, resort beyond where you are staying, you can get it.
Heading in the opposite direction tomorrow - will maybe share my adventures again!
One bonus - there are no funky zones to go through! No boundaries to work out or nowt!
Maybe they're onto a winner with that one
