As many of you know, I have become well acquainted with Guadalajara's extensive bus system. I have put together this guide for those of you willing to venture out and join "the masses."
First, the basics. There are two types of buses - the standard run-of-the-mill and the supposed "luxury" ones. How to tell the difference? The standard ones are not air-conditioned and typically kill people (see picture). In the luxury class, many of the buses are air conditioned, sometimes they have TVs and the seats are a bit more comfortable. If it's a really hot day, expect the air conditioning to be tepid at best and the atmosphere inside the bus to be similar to a locker room.
1. Finding the bus stop: On main avenues, look for the bus symbol posted on a telephone pole. On smaller streets - like on Lopez Cotilla - where there are no obvious bus stops, hail the bus at a corner.
2. Hailing a bus: While this may be obvious, there are some things to be prepared for. For instance, they don't always stop. Sometimes, they fly right by for no apparent reason. Other times, they're just packed to the hilt. Other time, they're racing with another bus and they just pass you by. The only thing I can do is to mutter to myself "you lousy S.O.B."
3. Getting on the bus: This is usually no problem if it's not crowded. However, if it is, be prepared for possible misadventures. One technique for getting into a crowded bus is to squeeze in right at the doorstep. Be very aware of the doors closing behind you or - as has happened to me more than a few times - you may find yourself inside but your backpack or bag on the outside. Another technique is to board the bus at the rear exit door and ask the passengers to pass your bus fare to the driver in front.
4. Paying the fare: It's a whole four pesos for the cheap buses and six or seven pesos for the "luxury" bus. Unlike the US, you don't need exact change. I've given a 100 peso bill before and gotten change with no problem. However, sometimes they give you back change in 50 centavo coins. Jerks. Keep the little ticket with you because there really are bus inspectors that come aboard every so often.
5. Bus etiquette: important rule - always exit through the back door. If you're standing, keep moving towards the back as passengers disembark. There's nothing more annoying than being stuck by the front door, unable to move back, because some jerk decided to block the way.
6. Stopping the bus: At the rear exit door, you'll find a button positioned right at eye level. Sometimes, the button is above the door. A few times, the "button" is a bicycle horn that emits a lovely "hee-haw" sound. Very rarely, you'll encounter a button that doesn't work. In which case, you just yell "BAJAR!" and that will stop the bus.
Tips:
- Sometimes, you'll get on a bus and notice one side completely empty and the other full. There's a good reason for this. If you sit on the empty side, you'll quickly realize why it's empty as you begin to roast in the late afternoon sun.
- To paraphrase a line from "Apocalypse Now," don't get off the bus! Once, I was trying to be polite by getting off the bus briefly to make way for other passengers. I realized the folly of my ways when the bus driver closed the door on me and took off. S.O.B.
- As in New York subways, musicians and poets make their way on the bus and attempt to entertain you. Thankfully, the quality has been pretty good. Save for the disheveled guy the other day (whom I believe was a repat case in the making) playing a flute while singing expletives in English.
- I've never felt threatened or unsafe on a bus. Of course, with that said, keep your bags and purses in front of you when it's crowded. Otherwise, it's been pretty safe for me.
