Buses and Taxis in Mexico

Mexico's bus system is well-organized, relatively cheap - depending which line you choose to travel on - and runs almost everywhere in the republic. Tickets are sold only ONE WAY. You must buy the return ticket at your destination. Bus companies take reservations over the telephone, but find out when you have to pick up the tickets and where. Some bus lines have ticket offices throughout the city.

The only drawback if you're travelling on the cheaper bus lines is having to contend with extra passengers being picked up on the way irrespective if the bus is full or not. Drivers see this as a means of making extra cash for themselves and their co-workers. It can be disconcerting seeing a mother and her children having to stand several hours in a packed bus.

Recognized bus lines are Autotransportes del Oriente (ADO - www.ado.com.mx) which services  Chiapas, the Gulf Coast, Mexico City, Oaxaca state, Puebla, Veracruz state, and the Yucatan. Grupo Estrella Blanca (www.estrellablanca.com.mx), which includes Elite, Flecha Roja, Futura, and Transportes del Norte, services Mexico City, the Pacific Coast, the northeast, and the northwest. Estrella de Oro (www.autobus.com.mx) services the Pacific Coast and Mexico City. ABC (www.abc.com.mx) services Baja California. ETN (www.etn.com.mx) is an excellent, luxury line that caters to the north of Mexico City.

Taxis

There are different types of taxis available including "Sitio", "Libres", Radio and Tourist Taxis, but the taxi recommended (especially at night) is the Radio Taxi. The radio taxis are identifiable by the radio antenna. These taxis are dispatched by radio but will occasionally pick up a fare on the street. Their fare is higher, but they will pick you up at the door and will be waiting at a prearranged time.

The radio taxi company always keeps a record of the car and driver that provides the service and for security purposes at night the taxi service is the safest. The telephone directory will list this taxi under "Sitios de Automóviles" or "Taxis". Never take a street taxi at night.

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