On mountain roads around Okhaldhunga in eastern Nepal, shared jeeps are an important connection between villages and larger towns. A UK-supported field study found that vehicles designed for nine or ten passengers commonly carried as many as fifteen. Where services are infrequent, passengers may wait until enough seats are sold for the driver to consider departure viable.
When demand rather than a clock triggers movement, the earliest passenger may wait the longest. The final arrival can depart almost immediately while releasing everyone already seated. Luggage, road conditions and weather join passenger numbers in the departure decision.