Getting Around with Public Transport in Lima

Public Transport in Lima

Public transportation in Lima mostly consists of a chaotic system of privately owned and operated big buses, medium-sized micros (coasters or microbuses) and combis (small vans). For most Limeños the only affordable option, this means of transportation is the cheapest and most adventurous way of getting around Lima for visitors. While Lima's complex bus network connects literally all of the city's main streets, the full routes of individual buses and connections stay even for some locals a mystery. Don't expect new, well maintain vehicles, a nice bus stops or even a centralized terminal for all busses, not to speak of the luxury of a printed itinerary, time table or a ticket booth. Instead no organization, at least from the North American and European point of view, without any information await you. Anyhow riding around town in a micro conveys a completely new impression of Lima.

Buses in Lima

Generally the locals are very helpful, but for getting around Lima on a bus you should have at least a slight idea about some of the main roads in town and where you want to go. Each bus has a sign above the windscreen indicating the starting point and the final stop of its route; for example Ate – SJM (San Juan de Miraflores) or SJL (San Juan de Lurigancho) – Surco and somewhere on the front also a number showing the route, for example EM 04 or OM 30. On the side of the bus you find a list of a few major roads along the way, like Benavides, Arequipa, Javier Prado.

Quite helpful for new riders as well, but probably a little bit overwhelming and confusing, can be a look at the webpage of the Gerencia de Transporte Urbano. Here you can check for special routes or how you can get from A to B. As some buses like taxis are informal they don't all follow established routes. If you are not sure, ask the guy at the door before getting in.

http://www.gtu.munlima.gob.pe/ (Spanish)

For some years now buses aren't allowed to drive through Lima's historic city center. So if you want to go there you have to take a micro either to Av. Tacna to the west or Av. Abancay to the east of the center and walk the last few blocks.

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Bus stops?

Normally buses and micros can be waved down at any point of the main road, but best you wait for the right one at a junction or traffic light or just have a look where lots of people are waiting, that's the right point. In some upper scale districts like Miraflores, here especially at Av. Larco, or San Isidro authorities are trying hard to convince drivers only to stop at bus stops ("paraderos"). When a bus stops the driver's assistant loudly calls out names of upcoming roads to potential customers. Hop on quickly and watch out because as soon everybody is on board the driver will race off to find and snatch more passengers from under the competitions nose. Make yourself comfortable and enjoy the "show". It's not uncommon that vendors will hop onto the bus selling, after telling a heart breaking story, candies or other stuff or in case the radio isn't turned on full volume musicians entertain the passengers for a small tip.

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Bus fares

Fares are fairly cheap: a short ride of a few blocks within a district will set you back with S/. 0.50, a ride from Miraflores to the City Center costs S/. 1.00 and from starting point to the final stop between S/. 2.00 and S/. 3.00. At one point of your journey the driver's assistant makes a round through the bus and collects the fare. Have change in your pockets! Also insist on getting the little ticket (this is not only your receipt, but also in case of an accident the insurance cover!).

Shortly before you reach your destination shout "baja" (getting off) or "baja esquina" (getting off at the next corner). When the bus stops get off quickly as the driver will race off immediately again.

Getting around town in micros can be very time consuming. Drivers literally stop for every single passenger at any point along the route and even go slower when the bus isn't full enough in the hope of finding more passengers. So if you are in a hurry, better take a cab. The same applies if you have luggage. In some vehicles there is barely enough space for the passengers, so it sometimes can be difficult to fit a suitcase or backpack somewhere. But in case you are allowed on the bus with a bigger piece of baggage, expect to be charged an additional fee.

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Enjoy the ride...

Riding on a bus in Lima isn't for everyone. Besides the difficulties finding the right route, most vehicles are quite old, badly maintained and run down. Drivers often race like mad competing with one another on similar routes. It seems traffic rules don't exist for them. Additionally buses, micros and combis are especially during rush hours utterly overcrowded.

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Metropolitano – Lima's new Public Transport System & Concept

The Metropolitano is a new public transport system in Lima that was inaugurated in 2010. New gas powered articulated buses circulate on special bus lanes that are partitioned off the normal road, finally giving Lima a mass transit system comparable with the Bus Rapid Transit. The first route connects Chorrillos in the south via Barranco, Miraflores, San Isidro and Lince with the City Center and further with Independencia and Comas in the north. 6 more routes are planned.

Along the route you find modern platform style bus stops and buses will only stop there. Here you can purchase a card at a dispensing machine worth S/. 5. At the same machine your "tarjeta" can be recharged. To pay your fare just hold the card in front of the electronic reader and the amount will be deducted from your credit. Fares are between S/. 0.80 and S/. 1.50. Buses are supposed to run daily from 06.00 am to 09.50 pm and arrive at the bus stops about every 5 to 10 minutes.

For more information visit the webpage: http://www.metropolitano.com.pe/

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Tren Electrico – Urban Train – Metro Lima

Already in the late 1980s Lima's Metro was planned and the first route started to build. The Urban Train was supposed to link Lima's southern districts with the city center using high speed trains that run on overpasses. But due to the economic collapse of the country, works were paralyzed with only 9.2km and seven stations finished connecting only Villa El Salvador, Villa Maria del Triunfo and San Juan de Miraflores.

Finally in 2010 works on the Tren Electrico restarted. Line 1, connecting in the first phase Villa El Salvador, San Juan de Miraflores, Surco and Surquillo with the city center should begin operations by July 2011, the extension to San Juan de Lurigancho is planned in the near future. The whole project consists of 3 additional routes that one day should link Chosica with Callao, Ate with Callao and Carabayllo with San Miguel.

More info can be found under: http://www.aate.gob.pe/

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