The Complete Guide to Nassau Jitney Bus System

The jitney is Nassau's public transit system — privately owned minibuses, painted in route colors, operating on 18 numbered routes out of two main downtown terminals. They are loud, cheap, and the single best way to see how Nassau actually works.

The basics

• Fare: $1.25 cash, exact change appreciated. Pay the driver when you get off, not on.
• Hours: Roughly 6:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday–Saturday. Limited Sunday service.
• Stops: There are no formal stops outside downtown. Wave one down anywhere along the route; to get off, shout "bus stop!" or press the buzzer.

Where to catch one

• Frederick Street terminal — most westbound routes (Cable Beach, Sandilands, Western New Providence).
• Bay Street / Parliament Square — eastbound and southern routes.

Routes worth knowing

• #10 (Cable Beach) — the tourist workhorse. Bay Street to Cable Beach, Sandyport, and the Baha Mar strip.
• #1 / #2 (Sandilands) — out east to Fox Hill and Yamacraw Beach.
• #17 (Carmichael) — south to Adelaide Village, near Adelaide Beach and Coral Harbour.
• #21 (Gambier) — west past Love Beach toward Lyford Cay.

Etiquette

• Greet the driver and other passengers when you board. A simple "good morning" goes a long way.
• Music is loud. That's the point.
• Drivers will sometimes deviate slightly to drop a regular near their home. This is normal.
• Tipping is not expected, but rounding up is appreciated.

What jitneys are not

They are not a replacement for a car on the Out Islands — jitneys only run on New Providence. They are also not on a fixed schedule. Frequency depends on demand, traffic, and the driver's mood.

A small honest warning

Jitneys can feel chaotic if you've never used one. Sit, listen, watch the regulars. By your second ride you'll have the rhythm.

For $1.25 you get door-to-near-door transit and a crash course in Bahamian daily life. No tour bus comes close.