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Taxi and bus drivers are frequently accused of rudeness. Some claim there are too many buses in the city and that they are the main cause of traffic and pollution. Some criticize their punctuality. The local government has been accused of making political agreements with the cooperatives that manage the buses; this issue was brought to attention during the colloquium when Eleazar Romero, a former PRI candidate for mayor, publicly accused the authorities of making political deals with the transportation cooperatives. 

The authorities, in particular the Transit Department, headed by Samuel Mercadillo, are working with the public transportation cooperatives to improve service. According to Mercadillo, “we have to understand that public transport is the future for our historical center. Private vehicles transport an average of two people, but many of them carry only one. Urban buses carry almost 40 people during peak hours.”

In buses, size matters

A new regulation imposed in 2005 stipulates that all new buses must be no more than 8.5 meters long; older buses measure from 9.5 to 10.5 meters and accommodate 35 to 40 seated and 14 to 16 standing passengers. 

“Smaller buses or vans would not be appropriate for San Miguel since they would transport about 19 or fewer people, whereas the 8.5-meter buses can transport up to 29 seated and 11 standing riders,” said Samuel Mercadillo. “Introducing vans, which are only one meter shorter, would add several more vehicles to the fleets.” 

He added that such vehicles would not be appropriate for the terrain in San Miguel. This was supported by Salvador Negrete, a bus owner and partner in the yellow line bus cooperative, who said that “the chassis of these vans is not durable enough to withstand the cobblestones and holes in downtown streets and the unpaved streets in some neighborhoods. The air brakes of buses are much more powerful than vans’ brakes, which would not be appropriate for the sloping streets of San Miguel.”

The urban transport cooperatives

All buses lead downtown; some arrive on calle Insurgentes opposite the Oratorio, and others on calle Mesones near Plaza Cívica. The concession for providing local service is held by four cooperatives of bus owners, each line distinguished by a different color. 

The orange line: According to Delfino Piña, representative of the cooperative, of the 11 buses on this route, 3 are new, shorter ones. This line covers some of the routes in the eastern part of the city, from Colonia Allende to Insurgentes, Infonavit La Luz, Jardines, and Centro. It arrives on calle Mesones. 

The purple line: This cooperative runs 23 buses 9.5 or 10.5 meters long. Ernesto Tovar, representative of the cooperative, said it has not replaced any of its buses because they have not yet reached the 15-year maximum service period, and only one bus is a 1993 model. The route is similar to that of the orange line, but it also caters to Fraccionamiento Ignacio Ramírez and nearby neighborhoods. It also arrives downtown on calle Mesones.

The blue line: Fidel Corona, representative of this cooperative, said that of 71 vehicles they have replaced 67. This line covers five routes that include the northern, southern and western parts of the city and areas such as San Luis Rey, Salida a Celaya, Mexiquito, Santa Julia, San Antonio and Centro, where it arrives across from the Oratorio. One of the routes runs from Mexiquito to the new administrative building on Salida a Querétaro.

The yellow line, represented by Javier Juárez, has 13 buses, of which 5 are new and 2 are about to be replaced. It covers routes from Infonavit Malanquín to downtown and from Capillas, behind Plaza Real del Conde, to downtown by way of the libramiento. This route is the only one that serves some nearby rural communities on the road to Celaya. 

Some residents of Infonavit Malanquín have said that buses on the yellow line fail to meet their schedules, so they have to walk to the libramiento to take the blue line. 

Transportation and political privilege?

Representatives and partners of the four cooperatives responded to Atención concerning Eleazar Romero’s accusation that the local government makes deals with the public transport cooperatives. Delfino Piña, from the orange line, said that although he supports the PAN party, the group he represents has never supported any candidate during a campaign because he thinks it is not right. Ernesto Tovar, from the purple line, said his group does not support political campaigns. Miguel Ramírez, a bus owner and partner in the yellow line, said his line has supported campaigns of various political parties, but without expecting any benefit. 

Fidel Corona, from the blue line, admitted having supported the PAN party during the campaign, but without any promises from local government officials. 

Rules of the road

The Transit Department has strict control over bus drivers, all of whom must be registered with the department. All drivers have to pass a drug test and are given frequent alcohol tests. If the transit staff finds that a driver has consumed alcohol or drugs, he is suspended. All the cooperatives require their drivers to wear uniforms. 

Other measures that have been taken for the safety and comfort of passengers include the removal of stereos and prohibition of tinted windows. However, several buses still have stereos. “We have a campaign to take out all the stereos, but it is difficult to achieve this because when we remove a stereo the driver installs another one,” said Mercadillo. None of the four cooperatives have officially forbidden stereos on their buses. However, they agree that stereos are a distraction for the drivers.

Where to report drivers’ bad behavior

Any discourtesy on the part of the bus drivers can be reported to the Transit Department in the administrative building on Salida a Querétaro or by calling 152-0538. Those with complaints can also call the appropriate bus line directly: Blue: 154-6040; Yellow: 150-7385; Orange: 185-8052; Purple: 152-5208. Passengers should note that bus drivers can only stop at authorized bus stops. When reporting an incident, one must provide the number of the bus, found on the ticket or on the side of the bus.

Inappropriate behavior by taxi drivers can be reported to Salvador Navarro at the State Transit Delegation located across from the new general hospital, or by calling 120-4046. One must provide the number of the cab, which is posted on the taxi’s door.