People on a Chiva in Guayaquil, Ecuador
Rear view of a Chiva
Front view of a rural Chiva

Chiva Buses (also known as escaleras) are old artisan modified buses used in rural Colombia and Ecuador for public transport and more recently used as party buses in both countries. These are varied but characterized for being painted colorfully (usually with the yellow, blue, and red colors of the flags of Ecuador and Colombia) with local arabesques and figures. Most of the Chivas have an incorporated ladder for the rack on the roof which is also used for carrying people, livestock and merchandise.[1]

La Chiva is built over a bus chassis with a modified body made out either metal or wood. Seats are bench alike, made out of wood and with doors instead of windows. The owner or driver usually give their Chiva a unique nickname.[1]

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References edit

  1. ^ a b (in Spanish) Revista Semana: La chiva semana.com Accessed 16 September 2007.