Cancun Public Driver

[hjhalk]

July 17/2011 My GF & I encountered a corrupt public bus driver! We missed our stop on the Hotel Zone rt. We told the driver & he eventually stopped at our location! He then yelled pesos & locked the doors! I gave him our transfer slips,which he threw on the floor! I gave him 3-4 pesos & we pushed the door open! Very scary,since we were the only two on the bus! We are 62 & 63 & by no means a threat to anyone! We are nice people & do not deserve this type of treatment! How much could he make a day? Has anyone else encountered this guy ?

[V]

We missed our stop on the Hotel Zone rt. We told the driver & he eventually stopped at our location!

Hmm, you mean you missed your stop, and the bus driver turned the bus around and went back, so as to let you off at your intended stop?

[Laura Mapchick]

I don't quite understand. If you ride to the end of the route you have to pay the fare again to go back. Not sure if that's what happened but just an fyi for people.

[ToriB]

Originally Posted by hjhalk

July 17/2011 My GF & I encountered a corrupt public bus driver! We missed our stop on the Hotel Zone rt. We told the driver & he eventually stopped at our location! He then yelled pesos & locked the doors! I gave him our transfer slips,which he threw on the floor! I gave him 3-4 pesos & we pushed the door open! Very scary,since we were the only two on the bus! We are 62 & 63 & by no means a threat to anyone! We are nice people & do not deserve this type of treatment! How much could he make a day? Has anyone else encountered this guy ?

I hate to give you bad news, but not sure he did anything wrong. First off, that is not a "transfer ticket" It's to prove you paid your fare incase of an accident. And also for him to see how many passengers got on during his shift. You pay a fare each time you enter a bus. And if you did go to the end of the rt, and he turned around, you do have to pay again. It's 8.6 pesos a person. Less then $1.(unless your driver drove backwards to your missed stop, which I find unlikely). It is NOT the responsibility of the driver to tell you the stop. He is given many requests and may have forgotten. You MUST pay attention of your surroundings and look for landmarks.

I had an incident that taught me some of the bus rules. I noticed I dropped my phone on the seat once off. I knocked on the side and he wouldn't let me on the bus to get it til I pay the fare. Another passenger actually paid as I didn't have any pesos once so ever. Most buses are set up with a scanning system on the front and back/middle to track passengers. I am on the HZ buses at least 2 times a day if not more. Your driver is not corrupt. You are just not informed of how it works here. Sorry for your misfortune.

[Steve]

I agree, I think it was just a misunderstanding due to the language barrier.

Certainly, a bus driver isn't going to hold you hostage for 3 or 4 pesos - he could maybe buy a lolipop with that.

[ToriB]

I will be the first to complain about the buses since it is my only affordable way to get anywhere, and I complain often. Most days its regarding being in a new Speed movie...and also a Rt 15 bus that has a 1 listed infront of the 8.50 price..making that particular bus driver corrupt. But for the most part, the drivers are the ones that get screamed at often for things that are not their fault. Most commonly, not stopping when they are asked (not at a posted stop), which can get them pulled over. To forgetting to tell someone when to get off.
I feel the buses are the cleanest, cheapest and most efficient anywhere I have been in the world. I just say to myself my final goodbyes once seated.

[rawkus]

One thing that I hope they do change with the bus service: Pay the drivers per drive, rather than per person they can squeeze(and I mean SQUEEZE, haha) into a single bus... Safety, comfort, less angry riders etc. Its a win, win, win, win, win.... situation.

[T.J.]

Tori,

Didn't you get off at a stop not long ago and realize it was not the one you wanted? You re-entered the bus and the guy made you pay again, even though he saw you just get off.

Am I close on this?

[rawkus]

TJ: Happened to me when I came to Cancun. Didnt realize the crappy sensors at the door worked, haha. Once you pass them, you are "out" and have to pay again to enter.

[ToriB]

Yes, Teej. That was the phone incident I explained. I was not a happy camper, but thankful someone was there to save me. God forbid they bend the rules. At the time I was mad cause of all the change they owe me cause they never have change could afford me about a week of free bus rides.

[JasmineEvans]

I have heard similar stories about bus drivers from my sister about her staying in Cancun. She was very disappointed of the quality of the service because a driver yelled at her and she hates when someone does it. I think may be there should be some signs or anything explaining how the things is done. Even though, such things should not let anybody feel bad on holiday!

[BruceWedding]

I've been riding a lot of buses the past 10 or so days and have not had any issues at all, other than shorting me the .5 pesos when I pay for 3 with 26 pesos. They do tend to get crowded during rush hour and stop every 100' but other than that, I'm happy with them and have found the drivers to be helpful with directions and stops.

[V]

I suppose I'm grateful that they run frequently, and are in a general good condition.

Just occasionally, one of the drivers is a lunatic, though, and goes far too fast in the HZ.

Other than that I haven't had too much to complain about, and I appreciate that when coming home tired from work I have a chance to snooze a little on my 30 minute ride, along with the other passengers, and feel a part of the local scene.