Why does no one talk about the private bus companies and the colectivos that are found throughout Central and South America? The system is amazing for anyone who has used it, compared to alternatives.
Perhaps tell us why it’s amazing and the road to where it is today.
I think most can surmise that all forms of transit have been repeatedly tried all over the world. Sharing details and their applicability to other other municipalities are what will advance transit.
Sure. I’m not really an expert in how they work but if you speak Spanish they’re easy enough to use.
Most cities have private bus companies that run their own routes. Where the bus is going is posted in the front on a piece of paper and you just hop on when you see one. The companies compete with each other so the routes often change, the prices are low and supply always meets demand.
Colectivos are a different phenomenon. In certain meeting places there are combi buses (12 pax vans basically) each one going to a different place usually a suburb or a neighboring town or a landmark outside of town or somewhere within commuting distance. You pay a small fee and the driver will sit there until all the seats are full, and then drive to the destination. Sometimes you sit 5 min before departing, sometimes 30 min. But usually it’s not so bad and it’s far and away the cheapest way to get these longer distances reliably.
