Trying to figure out if buses and metros in Mali take cards or if Ill need small cash. Any recent experiences?
No, you won't be able to use cards. The public transport system in Mali is entirely cash-based. There is no metro, and the bus system relies on cash fares paid directly to the driver or a conductor. You will need to get CFA francs from a bank or an ATM and make sure you have plenty of small bills for bus fares.
Your best bet is to carry a lot of small cash. The buses in Bamako and other cities are run by private companies, and they don't have a modern ticketing system. You just pay the driver in cash when you get on. There are no card readers or a metro. It's always smart to have a backup, but for transport, cash is the only way to go.
Forget cards for buses in Mali. I was just there and everything is cash. The bus systems, whether it's a regular bus or a more informal transport, all require you to pay the fare directly to the driver or a conductor. They don't have card machines. You'll need to get CFA francs from a local bank like Ecobank and be sure to have smaller notes for your fares.
You'll absolutely need small cash for public transportation. There are no metros in Mali, and the bus system is primarily cash-based. The main mode of transport, both in cities like Bamako and for intercity travel, is by bus or bush taxi. You'll pay the driver or a fare collector directly, and they only accept the West African CFA franc. Make sure you have small bills and coins on hand, as drivers rarely have change.