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Page 2 of 2 SolutionsAbroad thanks Reforma, one of Mexico's professional newspapers, for a very well documented article titled "Service and Safety Improves on Buses." Credit and appreciation also goes to http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ readers who, in their Thorn Tree Travel Forum, volunteered invaluable information. Facts on Traveling by Bus in Mexico Approximately 98% of travel in Mexico is done by bus.
It’s now commonplace to see buses constructed in part or in whole by Mercedes-Benz, Volvo, Scania and other high-quality manufacturers. The industry’s contract with Volvo, alone, for new equipment for the years 2002-2005, is worth US $300 million, and the industry is rapidly modernizing and improving the equipment. After you’ve purchased your ticket, you can cancel it, with no cancellation charge, up until 30 minutes prior to the departure time indicated on your ticket. You can change your departure to another time or day up until 15 minutes prior to the departure time indicated on your ticket, at no additional charge. However, the changed ticket cannot be cancelled in the future. If you miss your bus (up to, but not more than, one hour after scheduled departure), you may receive a credit of 50% of the price of the ticket that can be applied to the purchase of another ticket to the same destination. The carry-on bag policy is very similar to airline regulations, and some of the largest bus carriers employ security agents to screen passengers for weapons before they board the buses. You’re permitted to transport baggage weighing up to 25 kilos, after which excess baggage will be charged additional fees. Children under 3 years of age travel at no charge, but they are not entitled to a seat of their own. Seniors with a Mexican government-issued INSEN card, children between the ages of 3 and 12 years, and students with SEP recognized credentials are entitled to a 50% discount (for students, this discount applies only to the “official” school holiday periods – and some carriers have begun limiting the departure times for which other discounts will be honored/offered). Credentialed teachers traveling during official school holiday periods are offered a 25% discount. Bus TerminalsMexico City serves as the nation’s transportation hub, and most of the nationwide bus service starts, stops or connects in the D.F. Here’s a listing of the four major bus terminals in Mexico City and the principal destinations they serve: Terminal Central Norte. The terminal is located at the Autobuses del Norte metro station, on Line 5. Destinations it serves: Baja California, Colima, Querétaro, Guanajuato, San Luis Potosi, Chihuahua, Coahuila, Nuevo León, Sonora, Chiapas, Michoacán, Tamaulipas, Jalisco, Durango, Hidalgo, Nayarit, Sinaloa, Puebla, Oaxaca, Aguascalientes, Veracruz. There are also buses crossing the border into the USA from Mexico City's Terminal Norte. Terminal Central Sur. Located at the Tasqueña metro station, at the end of Line 2. Destinations served: Chiapas, Morelos, Puebla, Oaxaca, Tabasco, Cuernavaca, Veracruz, Guerrero. Terminal de Oriente (TAPO). Tapo is located at the San Lázaro metro station, which is at the interchange of Line 1 and Line B. Destinations served: Campeche, Chiapas, Puebla, Oaxaca, Tlaxcala, Tabasco, Quintana Roo, Veracruz, Yucatán. Terminal Centro Poniente. Located at metro station Observatorio, at the west end of Line 1. Destinations served: Michoacán, Jalisco, Guerrero, Querétaro, State of Mexico, Sonora, Sinaloa, Nayarit. Additional Websites for Bus PassengersDifferent World. English-language website with several links about Mexican bus services. All main bus carriers are featured. http://www.differentworld.com/mexico/buses.htm. Mexico City’s TAPO Bus Terminal. This Lonely Planet site offers a passenger's perspective on the terminal. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/thread.jspa?threadID=392106. By Mario Gonzalez-Roman, a retired Foreign Service National Security Advisor to the United States Embassy, currently a private Security Consultant, columnist at www.securitycornermexico.com Return to top
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