at first the van operators set up their business to compete with the city bus service, but soon they grew in popularity due to them being viewed more convenient seeing as they can even be hailed like taxis woth no specific stops, stopping whenever and wherever a passenger wants to get out - due to the initial success, the government decided to legalise some operators.

the choice to take a van or a bus became a personal preference seeing as fares are only marginally cheaper than buses - some routes and services will be more expensive, depending on the destination.

the mini vans are color coded depending on their route traveling to and from areas like rochina, vidigal, and rio das pedras - the destination of the van will be displayed at the front of the vehicle, or shouted out the window by the fare collector.