Getting used to the public transport in Peru

As a student studying Spanish in Cusco, I noticed that taking local buses in Peru is not like taking a bus at home. In my home country buses are expected to leave on time, they will not pick up more passengers if the bus is full and to stop at the designated stops. Here in Peru the public transport works slightly differently.

First, there is no bus schedule telling you at what time the bus leaves. Secondly, the buses are often really, REALLY full and, except for in big cities such as Lima, you can basically jump on and off whenever you like. You just flag down a bus and jump on.

Traveling from the Spanish school to my host family in Cusco I need to take buses all the time. To me it’s a mystery how people know what bus to take. Looking up buses on the internet is not possible, there are no ticket offices and nowhere is indicated where you’re heading to. For me I found out which bus to take thanks to my host family and also asking before I got on the bus if it goes to Real Plaza. The stops are written on the side of the bus, for example Santiago Plaza or Christo Blanco.

 
Still the system works. Local people in Cusco seem to always know what bus to take. And the fact that there are no schedules has never caused stress to anyone. You never have to wait long for a bus to show up. Here in Cusco it is incredible how many buses come and go every minute.

The ayudante, the driver’s assistant, will be hanging halfway out of the driving bus, crying out the destinations. A sign for people waiting outside to jump on as soon as they hear the name of their stop. Entering the bus you will hear the ayudante shouting: “Sube, sube, sube” which means: “get on, get on, get on.”
 

 
I am never really sure if they say that because they want people to hurry up, or just to let the driver know that there are people coming on board so he can’t start to drive yet. Maybe it’s a combination of both.

Approaching your stop, tell the driver “Baja”. Others will say “bajo” plus the name of the stop. “Bajo Puente Rosario”. The ayudante will then shout at the driver “Baja, baja, baja”. The driver stops and the ayudante opens the door for you so you can get out and continue your journey to your Spanish class, your host family in Peru, your volunteer project in Cusco or whatever awaits you.

Your first bus ride in Peru will be quite an experience. Make sure you have your 1 sol ready to pay when you get off. If not they will not be happy with you holding up the bus. I have to say it’s a way more charming experience than an automatic voice calling out the bus stops and doors that open automatically. Have fun!
 

 

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