Mexico City Transport:

As the world's third largest city, a city of gargantuan proportions sprawling over an enormous area, it is surprising just how easy it is to get around, although I also do a LOT of walking.

The newest addition to this transport system s the Metrobus, which have their own dedicated transport lanes over 3 separate lines. The main line travels the full length of the mighty Av. Insurgentes, the main north south artery. The buses are doubles and move rapidly along their lanes, with buses entering the stops every few minutes.

As with the Metro, there is an area reserved only for women and children and the elderly and infirm, and all the platforms are staffed by guards. As with every other public service here in DF, the buses and platforms are kept spotlessly clean.
The Metrobus is a great way to go, as above ground you see the world go by, you even get to see 5 car nose to tail accidents as I did a few days ago - whoops!!!!

 As apposed to above ground travel, the Metro spends most of it's time underground, but is vast and covers most of the metropolis, again with such frequent service that there is never the need to hurry for the train. For me hurrying is not an option, as the floors are all shiny, polished tiles and at times quite slippery, so I just amble along knowing another train is not far away.
The trains are fast, efficient and clean, but you do have to take care getting on and off. They are usually only stationary for a short time, and last week as a group of us waited for the alighting passengers, as you do, the signal sounded, the doors shut and the train left, with us still standing there looking a little perplexed.

 I was glad I wasn't the only one.


All the lines are colour coded and the transfer between lines clearly marked with the colour and the destination of the train. The passage ways between lines are ordered so that all traffic is flowing in only one direction and it all moves very efficiently, as there is often long distances between lines and platforms, and lots of stairs to go up and down.  All the stations have a symbol, so reading the maps is also made easy.

 And you can even do your shopping on the trains. At just about every station, a vendor hops into the carriage selling something. The guy below is selling CD's - a very popular item. They have enormous amplifiers on their backs and blast the music throughout the carriage, whilst at the same time yelling the name, contents and price. You can buy books to change your life, covers for your mobile phone, Chicle (chewing gum), maps of the city, geographical data, fingernail clippers, DVD's and he carries the player to demonstrate, and I am sure just about anything you can think of. I would be surprised if any of the vendors have a voice at the end of the day, as they all yell their speil continually at the top of their voice. At times there are several in the one carriage, although they seem to have an unspoken arrangement and share the talk time. I have seen a few sales, so I guess it must be worth their while.

And this is just part of the transport system. There are also small above ground buses that cover enormous areas and of course the taxis, which are everywhere and quite adequate and the best thing about the whole of the transport system is

IT IS INCREDIBLY CHEAP

I wonder why we can't do the same in Australia?