The "Bus number 7" project

"Bus number 7" is a multicultural project, its goal is to get acquainted with different cultures and deepen the liaison between people of Europe and the Sahara. "Bus number 7", a refurbished and converted articulated bus starts in January 2008 from the heart of Europe, Budapest, to the heart of Africa, the capital of Mali, Bamako.

This is the first time a articulated bus starts off the Sahara. After reaching Africa the crew of the bus representing several nations on board will stop every day at a chosen village to give presents to the children.

The brains behind and the organizers of the project are three "Bamako veterans" who participated and accomplished the 2006 and 2007 Budapest-Bamako rally. The organizers were searching for a vehicle not particularly optimal for the desert terrain but a rather spectacular one to travel to Africa and show the world a real inter-cultural cooperation. They believe that "Bus number 7" will be a decisive team of the 2008 Budapest-Bamako run.

Why "Bus number 7"?

"Bus number 7" is an "institution" itself, it's a public transport artery of the Hungarian capital, Budapest. Everyone knows its route who ever visited the city. Some of the vehicles transporting thousands of passengers every day on this route are the same type that the crew of "Bus number 7" will navigate to Africa. Apart from that, "Bus number 7" will take seven passengers besides the two drivers.