Vehicles

1. Ka

   Car

   Usage

   Also spelled "kar". Rentals are expensive and roads are rough

2. PMV

   PMV (public motor vehicle)

   Usage

   The backbone of PNG public transport — shared trucks and minibuses, with the destination hand-painted on the body

3. Bas

   Bus

   Usage

   Used almost interchangeably with PMV. "Bas i go long wanem hap?" asks where it goes

4. Trak

   Truck

   Usage

   Flatbed trucks carrying passengers are the main rural transport

5. Taksi

   Taxi

   Usage

   Cities only; agree the fare before you get in

6. Motobaik

   Motorbike

   Usage

   A valuable ride in rural areas; bring your own helmet

7. Wilwil

   Bicycle

   Usage

   Literally "wheel-wheel", a typical Tok Pisin reduplication

8. Balus

   Airplane

   Usage

   Originally means "pigeon". With few roads, flying is the main way to move around PNG

9. Ples balus

   Airport

   Usage

   Literally "place of the airplane"; "epot" also works

10. Bot

    Boat

    Usage

    The way to move between islands; cancelled when the sea is rough

11. Banana boat

    Banana boat (dinghy)

    Usage

    A long narrow outboard dinghy — effectively the island bus route. Check for life jackets yourself

12. Kanu

    Canoe

    Usage

    Still an everyday vehicle along the Sepik river

13. Sip

    Ship

    Usage

    Coastal passenger-cargo ships; a trip can take several days

14. Autbotmota

    Outboard motor

    Usage

    The heart of a banana boat; a frequent topic when things break down

15. Wof

    Wharf / jetty

    Usage

    Where boats leave from. "Wof i stap we?" asks where it is

16. Rot

    Road

    Usage

    "Rot i bagarap" = the road is wrecked

17. Ensin

    Engine

    Usage

    Use it when reporting a breakdown

18. Bensin

    Petrol

    Usage

    Fuel stations exist only in towns; check ahead in rural areas

19. Wil

    Wheel / tyre

    Usage

    Also "taia"; comes up with punctures

20. Draiva

    Driver

    Usage

    Use it when checking the destination with a PMV driver

21. Pasindia

    Passenger

    Usage

    Useful for asking whether the vehicle is full

22. Tiket

    Ticket

    Usage

    On PMVs you normally pay cash on board and get no paper ticket

23. Fe

    Fare

    Usage

    "Hamas long fe?" asks the fare

24. Fowil draiv

    Four-wheel drive

    Usage

    Many roads are unsealed; some rural routes need a 4WD

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