dollar van n. In New York City and Long Island, privately owned multi-passenger vehicles that operate along regular routes. Editorial Note: In manner of operation, dollar vans are similar to por puestos in South America, tap-taps in Haiti, chapas in Mozambique, and matatus in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Dollar vans sometimes charge more than a dollar. Though once illegal, many are now licensed by the city. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)