PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION IN MEXICO

Normally, in the United States, Canada, and other developed countries we don’t often think of using public transportation unless we live in a large city or we’re taking a trip.  Let’s face it, we’re so attached to our cars that we have a dearth of other types of ground transport.  Consequently, when we have a breakdown, we suffer, depend on our friends and relatives for rides, or rent something to use temporarily.  So in Mexico, many of the ex-patriots, myself included, think that owning a car is really unnecessary unless you’re working odd hours, have difficulty walking more than a few blocks, or live in some really isolated place.  After all, there’s an abundance of available transportation from various types of carriers. 

 Combis (Colectivios

The vans we see above are what are normally called “combis” or “colectivos”.  You can find them on most of the main traffic arteries in the states of Tlaxcala and Puebla.  They seat up to 17 people although during rush hour periods, they manage to carry around 22 passengers if some remain standing.  The basic cost is around $5.50 pesos, and they pass by rather frequently—every three to five minutes on a normal route.  For example, when my wife and I go to Apizaco (a small city about 15 minutes away) or to Tlaxcala (a larger city about 30 minutes), the cost is between $6.50 and $7.50.  I’ve ridden combis for more than 18 years and have never been in an accident; however, there have been a few times when I’ve gotten off after a couple of blocks to take another one when I’ve perceived the driver to be less than efficient.

City Buses

You can find city buses in the majority of the cities here in Mexico.  They range from the small ones (micros) to the larger ones which hold over 30 passengers.  And just like the combis, it would be abnormal to wait for more than 10 minutes to get one.  The cost is about the same as the colectivos.  For example, when my wife and I go to Puebla, a city of between three and four million, we sometimes take one of the buses out to a suburb called Amozoc (about an hour from the central bus station).  The fare is generally around $10 pesos.

Anecdotally, when I first came to Mexico in December 1991, I was living in Saltillo, a city in the northern part of the country, and trading my English for Spanish with the graduate engineering students at the Technical Institute of Cuahuila.  Living near the center of the city, I would take a bus (at that time something that looked like a repainted U.S. school bus) to the Tech.  At seven o’clock in the morning the vehicle would be so packed that some students would be hanging out the door.  Of course, this blocked the side mirror, so the bus driver would have to depend on the passenger hanging outside to say “Sale” (Let’s go!).  There were several times when I had that privilege, and it was a lot of fun!  From this experience, I learned that Mexico certainly did have a spirited, togetherness personality which caused me to like living here even more.

Second Class Buses

Although a second class bus looks much like what we have in the United States, seating about 42 passengers, the difference is that it doesn’t have a bathroom.  In other words, it’s not something you take for the long haul; rather, people use it for traveling shorter distances between towns, suburbs, and cities.  Of course, since they are cheaper than the first or luxury class buses, a lot of travelers do use them for longer trips, taking time to go to the bathroom when they arrive at a large station (central de autobuses). 

What I like about this class of service is that if you live in the city and want to go to the country to take a walk, you can get off in a rural area, do your short or long excursion, then go back to the nearest highway and wave one of these vehicles down to return home.

First Class Buses

This vehicle seats around 42-48 passengers, has a bathroom, and also includes screens for showing movies in Spanish.  Some of the newer buses have seat belts.  The drivers are generally more professional than those in the combis or second class buses.  Normally, you have to go to the bus station to get this level of ground transportation because it takes you from one town or city to another without stopping.  Sometimes, water or soft beverages and a snack are included on the longer trips.  Also, we’re finding a security scan of passengers being conducted just before boarding.  The cost is very reasonable.  For example, the last time we went to Mexico City from Apizaco (about two hours), the fare was $130 pesos.  And since we are card carrying senior citizens, we were allowed a 50% discount.  In fact, students and teachers are also afforded that privilege in all parts of the country.

Luxury Class Buses

This is a type of transportation not normally available in developed countries; however, it’s common here in Mexico at the main bus stations.  Luxury class is for non-stop travel between cities.  A security scan or pat-down of passengers before boarding is customary, and the agents hand out beverages and snacks.  The buses are the regular size (sometimes a little larger) that have half the seats (24), and you get to choose your location when you buy your tickets.  While on one side of the aisle there are two seats together, on the other there is only one.  Having almost double the space for your legs, there’s a small partition on the back of the seat in front of you that you can pull back and use to stretch out as if you were in the comfort of a reclining chair.  Next to the arm of your seat, you’ll find a jack where you can plug in your audio phones to enjoy music or the movie from a screen closely overhead or on the back of the seat in front of you.  Sometimes, wifi service is available.  There’s also self-service for coffee and tea at the back of the bus.  Believe me, the ride with these amenities is comfortable, quiet, and enjoyable.

My wife and I particularly like to take luxury class when we’re traveling for two or more hours.  The drivers are quite professional.  For the really long hauls, like from Mexico City to the border, there are two chauffeurs.  They have a small compartment under the bus where one can sleep while the other is driving

Taxi Cabs

Another form of plentiful ground transportation is taxi cabs.  For example, our little town of Santa Cruz Tlaxcala has two of them.  In fact, many of the small towns around our area have at least one.

While the fare is usually economical, it’s necessary in most cases, with the exception of Mexico City where they have taxi meters, to negotiate the price.  Similar to the vendors in many countries, the one offering the service will try to get the best price he can, so that means you need to know what the average fare is; otherwise, you’ll end up paying from 5 to 25 pesos more.  Since we know our local cab drivers and use their service all the time, we have a good relationship with them.  The average local ride of five minutes costs $35 pesos while a 15 minute trip to Apizaco is $100.  If we’re going to Tlaxcala (20-25 minutes), it’s $120.  A one hour trip to Puebla would be $350.

As far as security goes, if you’re in a large metropolitan area like Mexico City or Puebla, it’s a good idea to check the taxi’s license posted on the back door window to see if the picture matches the driver’s face.  If it doesn’t, then wait for the next cab where you find a match between the two.  Also, at the bus stations, airports, and certain taxi pickup points, there will be controlled service that is secure.  You’ll pay more but it’s worth it.  When you’re in a rural or small town area like we are, taxis are usually quite secure.  But never get in a taxi where there is another person who is a stranger to you, nor permit a taxi driver to pick up another rider.  If that happens, get out immediately.

My last piece of advice on taxi service is to form a good client relationship with two or three taxi drivers.  When they know that you’re a regular customer, they give you a very reasonable fare as well as security and a lot of information.  Also, they like customers who talk to them and are always friendly.  Don’t be surprised if you get to know members of their families.

Conclusion

The above information is what I’ve gleaned from using public transportation in Mexico since 1991.  I’ve always found the drivers of combis, taxis, and buses to be quite helpful.  Generally, if you’re friendly, they’re amicable as well.  When you’re in bus stations or airports, sit with the families in order not to isolate yourself.  Talk with them, and they’ll help you if you need assistance.  I haven’t mentioned train service because it’s unusual to find it now.  Finally, I really like not having a car because that means not paying for insurance, traffic fines, regular maintenance or unexpected repairs, dealing with the police, washing and waxing, having accidents or anything else. Moreover, the older I become, the more I enjoy the walks to where my wife and I find public transportation.