ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Dollar vans in the New York metropolitan area

Okay kiddo, so you know how we sometimes take a bus or a train to go places? Well, in some parts of New York City and its surrounding areas, there are these special buses called "dollar vans" that people use to get around.

These vans are usually white or sometimes colored, and they have a sign on the side with a route number or a destination. They're called "dollar vans" because they usually charge a dollar or two for a ride, which is cheaper than taking a regular bus or a taxi.

Dollar vans mostly pick up lots of people who need to get to work, school, or around their neighborhood, but they don't have a lot of money or access to other types of transportation. They drive around neighborhoods or along busy streets, picking up and dropping off passengers wherever they want to go.

This might sound like a free-for-all, but dollar vans are actually pretty organized. They have their own routes and schedules, and some of them even have their own little bus stops or hang out in designated spots.

So when you go to New York City, if you see one of these white or colored vans with a sign on the side, you can hop on and take a ride. Just make sure you've got a dollar or two in your pocket!