Parts of Lima are at a stand-still today because of a city-wide bus strike.
Ok, there’s still a lot of crazy drivers breaking every imaginable road rule, but it is a lot quieter today.
My sister-in-law came home from school early today because many of the students and teachers couldn’t get to class because of the one day strike.
The buses should be up and running by tomorrow, just in time for me to go back to work. The strike though acts as a good spring board on taking the bus in Peru. It’s nothing like bus service in the U.S.
First off, all the buses are owned by private companies. This means all buses are not created equal. Some are dirtier than others, some have a few more seats and they don’t run on a regular schedule.
For example, there are four companies that stop at the bus stop near our house which can take me to work. All the companies run slightly different routes, but go my way. With so many buses on the road I never have to wait long. I’d be willing to bet I’ve never waited longer than 5 minutes for a bus. If one bus looks to crowded, no problem just wait for another bus to come along. During busy times its not uncommon to see four busesĀ all heading the same direction back-to-back-to-back in traffic. Two of the buses may be packed to the gills and the others could be near empty.
If you get on the buses that are empty its a total good news/bad news situation. The good news is you have a seat, the bad news is since the bus is empty it stops a lot trying to drum up business. I’ve been on buses that sat at bus stop lights for three to four cycles picking up riders.
You can also flag down a bus from just about anywhere. All you have to do is stick out your hand. While there are bus stops, the bus will stop on every corner if it needs to. It’s not uncommon for people one block apart to flag down the same bus to stop where they are, instead of walking a block and getting on together. I also see people get on the bus and ride for 2-3 blocks because they don’t want to walk.
Getting on the bus is a lot different too. They don’t have the automated fare boxes like you find on most city buses in the U.S. Instead a man or woman “works” the door. When the bus stops he or she “calls” people to the bus by listing the destinations where it stops. Once your on the bus the “charger” collects your fare, makes change and gives you a ticket.
Stopping is also a trip. You don’t pull a cord or press a button, instead you yell for the bus to stop. This is sometimes harder than it sounds. The buses are old and noisy. If they are full, you have to fight through the crowd to get off. Once you’ve told the “charger” your plans, he or she flings open the door and you step off. Before your feet are on firm ground the bus takes off.
I could go on.. but those are the highlights.
Right now I’m waiting for my July schedule to come out. It’s about 1:30 and the webpage is blank. I wonder if the administrators were kept away from work because of the bus strike?