CARISTAS

    In cities around the world, crowded buses are a regular sight at rush hour. In Cuba, crowded buses are a common sight at any time. These images were taken in Havana in the early afternoon.

Puffing 1956 Oldsmobile sedan still has its "88" decklid badge. Chrysler export model could be a 1957 or '58 Plymouth. Perhaps a 1955 Dodge Coronet.      With this collection, we reach the end of the line on the rutero topic. The fixed-route taxi in which I'd most like to ride? No question. The magnificent 1954 Cadillac Series 62, below. Even with a front bumper from an earlier year, it's still the King of Cabs. Series 62 is a Standard Hardtop, or even a Coupe de Ville.

1953 Chevrolet Handyman (or perhaps a Townsman).      Peso taxis, or ruteros , emerged soon after the revolution to ease Cuba's overburdened public transportation system, Richard Schweid writes in Che's Chevrolet, Fidel's Oldsmobile .     With no replacement parts available, buses were harder than cars to keep on the road. To help citizens get about, the government put private vehicles on designated routes under the administration of the Servicio de Transporte Popular .     Cuba has more buses today, though not as many as it needs, so the ruteros remain. For Schweid, they offer "a cheap way to get from old Havana to Vedado and enjoy a ride in some car that I never anticipated riding again for the rest of my life: a 1953 Dodge, four of us crammed in the back seat and two in front with the driver; or a 1954 Ford station wagon with two back seats, the extra welded into the carryall space ... "     For the author, an ad...

1957 Buick Special.      Last entry, I suggested avoiding peso taxis unless you have a reasonable grasp of Havana geography and can communicate in Spanish. Support for that advice comes in this account by Canadian blogger Ze'ev of a not-so-merry ride from Old Havana to Vedado.    Fortunately, it didn't end too badly. A 1958 Ford peso taxi passes a more modern Havana cab. Another Ford sedan, this one from 1959. Grille lettering reveals this Oldsmobile as a '55.

Southbound 1952 Chevrolet taxi on Calle 23 (La Rampa).     MANY  visitors think that the peso taxis are only for Cuban citizens. In fact, anyone can use them, the Cuba Junky website reports in this useful article  on the taxi colectivo Habana .    Cuba Junky provides a route map and a list of do's and don'ts to help you avoid paying more than the standard 10- or 20-peso fare (Cuban pesos, not convertible).    Still, it's more complicated than hopping in a regular Havana taxi and naming your destination. I wouldn't recommend a peso taxi to a first-time visitor or anyone without at least some Spanish. Boarding a Marianao-bound 1956 Oldsmobile sedan.