'Mode': AROUND
Category: Car/Motor Home
Getting TO/AROUND: A very common way of getting around Beirut...and actually a very cheap method of transportation - compared to Europe and the US - is the Service (pronounced as in french). It is a taxi cab that holds up to 4 passangers, each of which can be headed to a different location. However, usually a cab driver accepts to take those passengers who are headed to the same area or surroundings, or who have stops along the way to a particular destination.
In most locations in Beirut, you will not have a problem in stopping a Service (unlike NYC..where its an accomplishment :-P)...sometimes, too many of them stop and ask you if you wish to go some place, if you look like you're lost, or are standing/walking on the side of the street. However, to stop a service, you can wave to one that is passing by...wait for him to stop...tell him your destination, if he approves, you get into the car...if not, then you should wait for another.
Service fairs for most areas of central Beirut is 1000 L.L. (equivalent to 0.66 cents or 0.55 euros)..if several cabs pass by and refuse to take you to a particular place, then you can let them know that you are willing to pay more than the basic amount.
If you wish to take a whole service (which means that you wont be stopping at different places, or having other people share your cab), then this is called a Taxi.
You stop the car in the same manner as you did the service..but you say the words 'Taxi'. The driver will automatically understand, and your fare will be 5000 L.L. (= 3 USD or 2.5 euros).
Note that, 'Services' MUST have RED license plates...and usually they are old mercedeces's.
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on Oct 13, 2005
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