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Recently I was in Nizhny Novgorod (Нижний Новгород). Some Russians said there are two types of buses there - "normal buses" and marshrutky (маршрутки). From what I understood, marshrutky are privately owned (not by the city) and are more "dangerous" (but they did not explain why). From what I saw from the outside, both types had "normal bus stops" and looked similar (in fact, some Russians could not tell if one incoming bus was a bus or a marshrutka).

In speech, some Russians clarified exactly that they have to take a marshrutka (and not a bus) each day. In my city, we also have private buses - but they are not too different from normal buses, so people would just say "bus". This leads me to believe that the difference in Russia (or in Nizhny Novgorod) between the two types is bigger.

What is a marshrutka? What is the difference from a normal bus? And why are they dangerous?

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    Could the downvoters explain?
    – user103520
    Sep 11, 2019 at 11:22
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    These are very common around the world. In post-Soviet countries they go by this name. In Mexico they go by colectivo and pesero. In Turkey it's dolmuş. They're generally privately owned like taxis but have set routes like buses or trams. They're generally older or less well maintained than, and not as well regulated as taxis or city-run public transport, but not always! Sep 11, 2019 at 15:37
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    In Panama, there used to be a special case of this type of transport, very popular, almost to the extent of it being a cultural icon. They were Diablos Rojos or Red Devils because they drove like the devil. They were loud, repurposed school buses with gaudy decorations of cartoons, political figures or popular singers/icons that made them seem like Japanese 痛車(itasha). Once the state-owned Metrobus and Metro came along, most of them disappeared into routes not covered by the main train or bus routes and operate out of regulation, so they're known as piratas / pirates for being outlaws.
    – Eriol
    Sep 11, 2019 at 20:33
  • @hippietrail A colectivo is quite different from what is being described here in my experience. Most colectivos I’ve travelled on have been regular sedan cars with no fixed route who just pick up people wanting to go the same place. It’s basically a shared taxi. While it’s true that there are commonalities, what the asker here is describing is not equatable with colectivos, at least not as I know them. Sep 13, 2019 at 15:49

9 Answers 9

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Just to add to the above guys answers.

Маршрутка (Marshrutka) is a slang. It's a shortened version of "Маршрутное такси" (can be roughly translated as "Routed" taxi, essentially a taxi that has a specified route that it always has to take). Usually looks like a minibus/minicab.

Therefore can behave like a bus:

  • has a timetable
  • goes through a specific route
  • might have a number like buses do

but also is like a taxi because

  • normally you need to hail it (signal to the driver that you want them to pick you up)
  • and let them know where you want to be dropped off when you are near that location (which can be a bus stop, or literally anything that's on that route - for example, next to a supermarket/pharmacy/church/etc, some people even asked to be dropped off at the pedestrian crossing).
  • only seated space and no standing spaces, i.e. if it's full it's full (the driver will not stop even if you wave/hail them)
  • the driver's way of driving will be resemblant more of a taxi driver manners (you might feel as if they're in a rush switching lanes and going as speedy as they want)

It might be more difficult to use this way of transport for people who don't speak the local language because you have to actually say where you want the driver to stop (when dropping off) unlike buses when they will either stop at a bus stop anyway or people can press the STOP button without any interaction with the driver. Of course, on Marshrutka you can simply awkwardly just leave when someone else has requested a stop but that might not be the best course of action if it's far away from your intended destination (but could work okay if you're going to a popular/busy destination where a lot of people get off anyway).

In the Marshrutka that I used to take, people either were specific and said "Остановитесь пожалуйста у [name of a place/building/supermarket/something]" (Ostanovites' pozhalujsta u [name] / Please stop at [name]), or they just said "На остановке пожалуйста" (Na ostanov'ke pozhalujsta / At the bus stop please). The last one is a shortened version of "Остановитесь на остановке пожалуйста" (Ostanovites' na ostanov'ke pozhalujsta / Stop at the bus stop please).

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    Great answers all! Since I could not decide, I give the checkmark to you as you probably get some points and you seem to have the least amount of them. Thank you!
    – user103520
    Sep 11, 2019 at 15:45
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    The only thing I'd like to pick on is that marshrutki's usually do have standing space, just like any other bus.
    – altskop
    Sep 11, 2019 at 18:36
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    @altskop Almost... in my experience, Mashrutki never have proper standing spaces like buses do, but, this never stops people from cramming on and somehow finding space to stand anyway Sep 11, 2019 at 22:02
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    @altskop I guess it depends on the region/company probably. In the Baltics, our marshrutka didn't allow people to stand and wouldn't stop at all if it was full.
    – kiradotee
    Sep 11, 2019 at 22:11
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    @kiradotee in Riga, capital of Latvia, the marshrutkas were very much the same as described here in 90ies, including stopping where you wanted and allowing people to stand inside, but since they have become more like regular buses and more regulated, they don't allow t people standing anymore, as it is considered unsafe. The service is also now owned by municipality, instead of private, and they allow you to use regular bus cards for payment.
    – Gnudiff
    Sep 12, 2019 at 7:26
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This answer would be incomplete without a picturesque Marshrutka:

Marshrutka (courtesy Wikipedia)

A typical 13-pax GAZel painted in yellow and with route details.

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  • Where could I find this type?
    – user103520
    Sep 12, 2019 at 6:57
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    It's not rotten enough to give you the genuine feeling.
    – user4188
    Sep 12, 2019 at 8:57
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    @user103520 this one is from outskirts of St. Petersburg, but I believe now there would be slightly larger white Fords instead. You can still see a lot of these in smaller cities.
    – alamar
    Sep 12, 2019 at 12:31
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    Here a picture of what Tbilisi's Didube bus station looks like - not quite "bus", more "marshrutka" station. This is where most of marshrutkas from Tbilisi to other towns/cities/etc. leave from. Good luck finding the one you need without knowledge of Georgian or at least Russian :)
    – Aleks G
    Sep 12, 2019 at 15:44
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Marshrutka. Dolmuş in Turkey. These are very similar things: something half way between a taxi and a bus. A shared minibus where the route, while exists, is more or less flexible -- the drivers will stop where there is no scheduled stop and sometimes even make small changes to the route even. You typically need to speak the local language so you can tell the driver (tell... yell!) where you want to get off -- scheduled stops are optional and as I mentioned you can ask for your own stop. It's typically cheaper than the ordinary bus. It's dangerous because the drivers drive fast, not always even waiting for the door to close and they take the money and give change -- often while driving. If you can call running amok with a vehicle "driving". So you need cash (although recently the Moscow Marshrutka began accepting the troika card). It doesn't help these things are often one duct tape away from the scrapyard. "Don't slam the door, it can break off and fall on your foot" is a real warning in some marshrutkas and you better believe it can.

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  • So do experienced users feel unsafe? In other words, would there be a marked for modern buses?
    – user103520
    Sep 11, 2019 at 10:04
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    You get used to this, I guess.
    – user4188
    Sep 11, 2019 at 10:36
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    You named the dolmuş ⇒ +1
    – gboffi
    Sep 12, 2019 at 8:14
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    @Tor-EinarJarnbjo There is a very noticable difference between maršrutki(dolmuşlar) speed and driving style compared to regular buses. Also the technical state of the car and they way they can be cramped. I saw it in Turkey, Georgia, anly shortly in Russia. In Turkey you have nice comfortable long distance air-conditioned buses with seat belts. And then you change for an old rusty dolmuş where you sit in the trunk, the drivers runs fast, one hand with a cigar out of the window. And it can still be a long journey (Van - Doğubayazıt for me). Sep 12, 2019 at 11:40
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    Ordinary buses are not even capable of speed and acceleration these things are regularly doing.
    – user4188
    Sep 12, 2019 at 17:02
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The greatest danger of marshrutkis are lax regulations in terms of safety, driver qualifications and quality of service. Many small private companies will try to save on vehicle repairs and driver salaries, hiring underskilled drivers and forcing them to drive old rickety Gazelle minibuses for 12 hours a day. If such minibus gets into a nasty accident the driver will be arrested and face jail, however the owner will likely disappear only to start a new marhsrutka company at some other location.

Another "danger" you may face is that the drivers may sometimes alter or even cancel the route if they know no one in the bus would exit at a certain stop or if there aren't many passengers left. You'll need to stay alert, listen to the driver's announcements - in Russian - and be ready to answer questions about your destination so as not to miss it. That goes in contrast with the official buses that would normally follow the scheduled route even if there are no passengers left on the bus.

None of this means all marshrutkis are unsafe, and sometimes they're the only viable means of transportation to and from a remote location. However, unless you're a local, you may find the experience more stressful and will have a greater chance of ending up in a place you didn't mean to go to.

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  • Thats interesting! Regarding the underskilled drivers etc: Are there statistics about accidents?
    – user103520
    Sep 11, 2019 at 15:11
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    Not that I'm aware of. To be honest both are relatively accident-free if you were to compare them with ordinary cars. However, one has to keep in mind that marshrutki drivers are incentivised to drive quickly and sometimes dangerously because their pay is based on how much fare money they've earned. Bus drivers, on the other hand, are paid to follow the schedule regardless of the passenger volume.
    – undercat
    Sep 11, 2019 at 15:25
  • After binging on "Russian car crash videos" on youtube, stressful wouldn't even being to say how I'd feel... :)
    – CGCampbell
    Sep 11, 2019 at 17:39
  • @undercat. They have these in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, and getting your pocket picked is a very real possibility there. More so than just out on the street because of the inevitable proximity and increased distractions. Sep 12, 2019 at 21:30
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    @MadPhysicist I don't think pickpockets are that much of a threat on public transport in Russia. If anything, you'll be more likely pickpocketed during rush hours in Moscow Metro or on a bus than in a marshrutka which are too small for a quick retreat with the stolen item. Besides, people usually sit in marshrutkas which makes stealing anything from their pockets pretty awkward.
    – undercat
    Sep 12, 2019 at 21:44
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Маршрутка (marshrutka) is like a private minibus, it is privately owned:

a way of public transport, private minibus. It is very common in Russia and other neighboring countries.#

(Source)

Dangerous?

They can be dangerous for some reasons:

On the bad side, they're crowded and speed excessively, increasing the risk of an accident.

From my experience of using them, it is fine.

Marshrutka vs bus

  1. There are different routes, some people need the Marshrutka to get to their destination

  2. As they are privately owned, you can't use a travel card equivalent on the, but you pay separately (you can use your Troika card)

  3. You can choose your stops:

Lets say it is pouring with rain, a typical bus will drop you off at one of the many bus stops which could be some way from your home. However, on a Marshrutka you can request that you be dropped off anywhere on the route.

(Source)

Using one

Getting on:

So if you are waiting on a bus stop and you can see your marshrutka approaching, wave – give the driver a sign that you want to get in. Sometimes they stop also without this on more crowded bus stops (e.g. near metro stations), but better to be cautious.

Getting off:

When you are in the marshrutka, you paid the driver and you know what is your destination, it’s still not full success. Remember to ask the marshrutka driver to stop when you get close to your destination.

(Source)

Breaking the language barrier

Getting on

To get on, just wave, no problem and give the driver the fare specified.

Getting off

You can use Google Translate or similar and translate "скажите пожалуйста когда будет (your destination)”. It means “Tell me please when we’ll be at…”. You can just play it to the driver and he should tell you when you are at the stop.

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    "Getting off" is usually GPS-assisted these days. Just hail your driver to stop when you're near of where you are going.
    – alamar
    Sep 30, 2019 at 11:33
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In the city in Ukraine were I live the маршрутка (marshrutka) are basically just the buses that go around the city. They are privately owned - there are no publicly owned buses (although there are trolly buses) but regulated just like buses. They have a service contract with the city which specifies the routes, prices and how often they should run. There is no reason to think they are any less safe than they would be if there were publicly owned.

The word автобус tends to used to refer intercity transport (although smaller vehicles will also be called маршрутка).

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In addition to other answers, some points that are specific to Nizhny Novgorod (I live in Nizhny myself).

Firstly, in many Russian cities the marshrutkas are small minibuses like in alamar's answer (basically, GAZelles). But in Nizhny much more common are PAZ buses. They are larger and allow for standing passangers.

Secondly, while in many cities you indeed can ask the driver to stop at any point along the road, in Nizhny this is quite uncommon. You press a special button inside a bus to indicate that you are going to exit on the next stop. Exiting in between is very uncommon. Similarly, you usually can stop (hail) the bus to enter it only on official stops.

Thirdly (and this is quite common to other cities too), marshrutkas and buses of the same route number can have a completely different route, e.g. a bus No 17 and a marshrutka No 17 can have nothing in common.


Marshrutkas were 'invented' in Soviet Union, I guess, to serve unpopular routes where many stops can have no passengers entering or exiting; hence the small buses and the requirement to indicate your intention to enter or exit to the driver. Then after the fall of planned ecomony it turned out that marshrutkas are realy profitable for private owners, I think because thay allow for smaller buses (thus smaller initial expenses to start business). So marshrutkas proliferated, while government-owned big buses endured all the harships of 90's. Nowadays many cities' governments try to limit marshrutkas in favor of big buses, but marshrutkas are still very popular in many places.

They are dangerous because the owners try to maximize profits by cutting expenses on regular mainteinance as well as by hiring inexperienced drivers; also they often go very fast to maximize the number of trips each bus make per day, thus also maximizing the profit.


The fact that there are buses and there are marshrutkas may indeed sound strange, but in fact it is not that uncommon all over the world to have similar public transort under different names. Think of German U-bahn and S-bahn for example. From Russian point of view, both are subway, and every Russian always asks what is the difference :)

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In my city, we also have private buses - but they are not too different from normal buses, so people would just say "bus".

Historically, the main distinction between marshrutkas and public buses was that marshrutkas only accepted cash with a single fare for everyone, while public buses accepted city-issued season tickets and passes and provided discounts for children, students and the elderly. This distinction slowly washes away as private buses start to accept city passes in major cities, but in most places you're expected to have cash when boarding a marshrutka.

It should be noted that in some cities there are regular-size buses operated by private companies and not necessarily honouring city passes and fare reductions. Those can aslo be called marshrutkas, and can be distinguished by the itinerary number prepended or postfixed with a letter "K" which stands for "коммерческий" or "commercial". Some minibus-sized marshrutkas use the "K" letter too.

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+500

As others have already correctly said, "marshrutka" is a colloquial version of "marshrutnoe taksi", that is, "routed taxi". This concept emerged in late 1930s when Moscow started operating a few ZiS-101 limousines between the city center and VSKhV (later VDNKh/VVTs, now again VDNKh), so that every proletarian could enjoy the luxury of a government limousine for an affordable price.

Russian legislation does not use this term since around 2007. Even before the legal concept of routed taxi was abandoned, there was a great variance in models of operation between cities. In fact, in many places real-world marshrutkas didn't comply with the regulations, and that was partially why bus legislation was revised to drop the term.

So, in modern parlance, the word "marshrutka" is a legacy colloquial term that means some kind of bus or minibus service, but the particulars are still variable.

For example, in Nizhniy Novgorod, marshrutkas are most often small or medium PAZ buses allowing for standing passengers and stopping at designated bus stops at request (passengers at stops wave hands, passengers alighting push a button above doors). In many other cities, marshrutkas are GAZelle or similar minibuses, where all passengers are expected to be seated (which is often not true) and can board and alight not only at designated bus stops but also between them.

In comparison to what is called "avtobus" (bus), marshrutkas have some of the following properties:

  • Marshrutkas are privately-owned and operated.
  • Avtobuses are government or municipality-owned and operated.
  • Marshrutkas are operated by smaller class of buses than avtobuses.
  • Marshrutkas only accommodate seated passengers.
  • Marshrutkas only normally stop on request, sometimes given by voice, sometimes by pressing a button.
  • Avtobuses normally always stop at designated stops.
  • Marshrutkas can stop everywhere where driving rules permit, not only at designated stops.
  • Marshrutkas operate without a published/imposed schedule; in particular, when departing from a major passenger-generating point such as a metro station or a mall, they may start on full occupancy.
  • Avtobuses operate on a schedule.
  • Marshrutkas are not integrated into a city-wide fare scheme.
  • Avtobuses are integrated into a city-wide fare scheme.
  • Marshrutkas are not allowing free rides (or reduced fares) for privileged social groups such as pensioners.
  • Avtobuses allow free rides for privileged social groups such as pensioners (usually subject to limitations).

For each of these properties, there is at least one city where this property is true and at least one city where it is untrue. Note that these differences are most often not formally codified and constitute part of the culture of a given city.

It is a Soviet tradition which is still in force in Russia that different modes of transportation have independent numbering schemes. For example, a single street may be serviced simultaneously by avtobus 2, trolleybus 2, tram 2 and marshrutka 2, each service having its own route. When Russian legislation abandoned the term "marshrutka", existing lines had to be somehow distinguished between. In Nizhniy Novgorod, this was achieved by keeping the traditional prefix "T-" for marshrutkas and adding "A-" before avtobus bus lines. In other cities this might work differently.

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