"Brett" wrote in message
news:-YOdnXd5OpHGiBbenZ2dnUVZ_tadnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Thanks again on all of these links and info. My fear about taking a bus
> to go from one city to the other is feeling like I'm riding in a coffin.
> I'll be thinking about twisted, mangled metal burning on the roadside
> until we arrive at our destination safely. I know, it's crazy. But the
> fact they aren't so careful lends some credence. Are there safer buses
> than others to take? What is the difference in first class bus tickets
> and others?
Richard can give you a better idea on prices. The price difference is
small enough and the difference in comfort level is big enough that you want
the first class bus.
Looking at buses from my rear view mirror I don't see any difference in
safety. On the two lane roads those guys will often get right up on top of
you in a way that very few American drivers would dare. The lower class
buses are older and slower so they can't be driven as aggressively, but
other than that it's all pretty much the same from one company to another.
Aggressive drivers are a big reason why the four lane toll roads are
generally more comfortable than the two lane free roads. Most Mexicans are
not especially aggressive drivers, but there are enough of them that I can
guarantee that you will notice them. The bus drivers are however an amazing
performance to watch. Outside of the race track the guys who drive buses
from one city to another in Mexico are probably the most skillful drivers in
North America.
I found one of the more interesting bus rides to be the city bus in
Campeche, which has a nice colonial section with very narrow streets. They
use old school buses and the drivers usually build a personal shrine in
front with religious and cultural icons, plastic flowers and flashing
lights. For 35 cents it was as good as an e-ticket ride in Disneyland. The
driver will have an assistant who watches traffic out of the right door as
they blast down the streets in a way that no one else dares.
With all of that I still agree with Richard that you're probably safer
on the bus.
TB
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