We use public buses famous known as Dala Dala that are accessible in every corner of the city and the county to go to work and to school (see picture). Paying for Dala Dala per trip is 250 Tanzania shillings but this sometimes change depending on the distance you travel. There are no alternative public transport but in some regions especially in rural areas people walk and use bicycles to travel from one place and another.Getting to work or school and back during rush hours is a nightmare in Dar es Salaam. In their effort to reach office or school early, some city residents, including motorists and school children, are forced to wake up as early as 4 in the morning to beat the traffic jam.

Dala Dalas are a cross between a taxi and a bus. Dala-dalas get their name from the Swahili slang “dala,” meaning five. Years ago the fare was five shillings, so the conductors would shout out “dala dala”...thus the name. Now the price is higher, but still less than 25 cents US to go anywhere. Dala-dalas have sort of fixed (but not really) route - they pick up people along the way and stop anywhere if you shout loud enough. They usually are very crowded, so getting in and out is quite a task. Many times the Dala-dala are filled with everything from goats to the daily market produce to the latest entrepreneurial venture of the day. People wanting to board must act fast and hold their position to gain access to the shared Dala-dala as everyone is usually fighting for their space.

Toll collectors are termed "mpigadebe" - literally, 'a person who hits a debe' (a 4 gallon tin container used for transporting gasoline or water). This is in reference to the fact that they are often hitting the roof and side of the van to attract customer attention and to notify the driver when to leave the station.