Safety of Cartagena-Medellin and Medellin-Pereira buses?

tomtom33 says on May 10, 2008, 03:06:

The Andes are the southern end of the mountain chain that traverses the Americas. The Rockies have nothing on the Andes.

On my bus trip from Medellín to Cali I was nervous as hell for the first few hours. These crazy bastards pass on blind curves going up hill. After awhile I realized that oncoming vehicles expected to find other vehicles in their lane when they rounded corners. Oncoming traffic regularly slowed and even partially pulled off the road as much as possible to avoid head-on collisions.

The only reason I took the bus was to see the country and to spend a night in each of the 3 major cities on the way.

It is also common to see half of the road covered by a landslide.

miamimike says on May 10, 2008, 05:21:

Do a Search here on this Matter, Bus safety has been discussed a lot in the past. In a Nutshell, Yes they are dangerous and whether you travel on one depends on your tolerance threshold for danger.

TT-A bus I was on lost its Headlights and then later follwed a Buddy driver's Talights in his Bus for over 2 hours speeding down winding mountain roads. Insane,,,,

Our enemies are innovative and resourceful, and so are we. They never stop thinking about new ways to harm our country and our people, and neither do we." GW Bush

adrimm says on May 10, 2008, 06:37:

First, despite what i say below Colombias overland bus industry is very well developed (millions of passengers, lots of companies).. and road conditions have improved over the years (guard rails, etc).

Now, I don't know these two particultar roads, but from my experience elsewhere in Colombia I think that if you already consider mountain highways in North America dangerous Colombian mountain highways may quite dangerous to you. Many drivers, especially of the smaller buses and vans, are also risk-takers (chicken when they can). But as windy as the roads are, and foolish as some drivers are there still don't seem to be as many accidents as I would expect.. which tells me that there really are some good drivers out there.

Buses these days seem to be equiped with a digital read-out in the passenger cabin showing the speed. If the bus goes faster than 80 km per hour a beeping alarm is heard.

If you are saftey-conscious I'd stick exclusively with the biggest bus company, and avoid the minibuses and vans like a plague. The coaches simply can't take the high grades and curves at as high velocity, and they are very comfortable to ride in.

http://www.copetran.com.co/index3.php?idioma=1

pedro says on May 10, 2008, 07:25:

When you go to book your ticket, each company's ticket counter has a panel displaying "accidents, killed and injured" statistics. It usually reads zero... I don't know if that strictly represents reality or not.

If you travel Medellin - Cartagena, only the first few hours is mountains, the rest is flat.

¡save pow wow!

docwilliam says on May 10, 2008, 07:40:

I have travelled roads as dangerous and much, much worse. And I would rather be in a bus than on a cycle or car (as long as they have seat belts). It is all about physics.

"There's no time to panic"

romy says on May 10, 2008, 08:11:

docwilliam- I think a key issue is trusting the driver. And Colombian bus drivers don't radiate trustworthiness at times, at least not for me. But physics is a very important consideration in an eventual accident.

docwilliam says on May 10, 2008, 08:16:

I here what you are saying romy, I am just one of those nuts who believe that when it is your time, you are going to get it. So I tend to take (the danger thing) a bit lighter than your average person.

"There's no time to panic"

RAAAY says on May 10, 2008, 08:22:

........Amy..." Are the drivers alert or do they take drugs to stay awake on the long trips like US truckers do? "


Amy....US truckers are now one of the most highly regulated and enforced people in the country. The whole drug thing with them, no longer exists.

They have regular and mandatory drug screening.

As to bus drivers here in Colombia. They are as bad if not worse than all the other Colombian drivers.

Colombians are known, far and wide, as being the WORST drivers in the world.


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

Gator says on May 10, 2008, 08:55:

I suggest you fly-if you are not familiar with Colombian mountain driving - it can be unnerving. Plus the Cartagena/Medellin route is long. Medellian to Pereira is a piece of cake.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

RonDubya says on May 10, 2008, 08:56:

Amy, wife and I have taken Pereira-Medellín buses many times (going on Monday to Medellín by bus). The first time was a little scary, but fortunately if you take the big buses (we use Flota Occidental Super Emperador - 32,000 Pesos, sometimes in a Mercedes) many of them don't let you see out the front so you don't see all the passing on curves, etc. Now we are quite comfortable (with the driving, not so much with the endless curves), and usually enjoy the views. Traffic can be heavy on Fridays, so the 120 mile trip at 5 to 6 hours seems endless. And as docwilliam says, it could be your time. You could step off the bus after a safe trip only to be flattened by a taxi as you try crossing the street.

Hope this helps.

Of all the things I've lost, I miss my mind the most.

RAAAY says on May 10, 2008, 09:13:

Rondubya says..." You could step off the bus after a safe trip only to be flattened by a taxi as you try crossing the street.

Hope this helps....."



Shit........I'm sure that really helps.:)


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

Robert Jorge says on May 10, 2008, 10:02:

I am actually amazed at the bus, buseta, taxi driver's skills on the mountain roads. My only mountain road experience is from Bogota to Villavo. My first trip, I nearly soiled myself. Since then, I got used to it and realize most of these drivers know what they are doing. I trust the drivers, and actually enjoy watching them work/drive.

bickerss says on May 10, 2008, 10:07:

There is no way colombian Drivers are the worst in the world - try Kuwait or other middle east countries for that honour - or brazil; I was scared on some buses there!!. Have taken the bus from med to Cali and Periera and manizales. Didnt find it too bad at all. The next time I did it though, I took the shared mini vans - much faster and more comfortable ride.

Catfish35 says on May 10, 2008, 10:07:

JAJA that calmed her nerves.

AMY,
As far as hazardous mountain travel in the USA and commercial travel, RAAAY is 100% correct.
Anyone posessing a CDL(commercial Drivers License) in USA are subject to extreme control anymore. Even and more so Bus drivers. Companies are now mandated to give drug tests and and those tests are sent to USDOT. They must have physical exams and carry a card. They cannot be charged with DWI or anything else because this can and will result in suspension and revocation to their license, (even while driving their cars and having a CDL).
As far as Mountains there are 3 ranges or areas in the USA that are considered Dangerous by way of CDL drivers, they are: Eishenhower Pass outside of Denver, Donner Pass outside of Reno and finally the treacherous Grapevine on RT 99 from Bakersfield to LA.
To let you know, these mountians are small compared to the Andes Mountians that begin in Colombia and at times thru Ecuador and Peru can reach over 20,000 feet.
IN my humble opinion AMY, if you are considering a trip to Colombia you must already have some sense of adventure. The fear you have of dying is normal, people do this everyday and it is very common in most parts of the world..hell a few dropped the other day in Burma from a thunderstorm. I don't know if this will surprise you or not, but none of us are getting out of here alive!
Combine that with your sense of adventure and some calculated cautions you should be just fine and have a great time. When coming down the mountain on that Colombian bus and the 80 mile an hour alarm is going off and your on the wrong side of the road, just do as the USA truckers do, throw your arms up over your head like on a roller coaster and start screaming til you start up the next incline!

"I refuse to have a battle of intelligence with an unarmed person, therefore I will just speak as the simpleton you have come to love"

RAAAY says on May 10, 2008, 10:10:

It is a well documented fact that Colombian drivers are regarded as the worst in the world.

Just to name one......MotorTrend magazine just did another article on it.


.

.........Its useless to argue with ignorance

robi666 says on May 10, 2008, 10:11:

"It is a well documented fact that Colombian drivers are regarded as the worst in the world."

Ray, why are you always so negative towards Colombians?

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

durito says on May 10, 2008, 10:21:

I've found the roads here in Colombia and the drivers to be better than in Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia -- which certainly doesn't make it safe. Personally, I'm a lot more worried about getting hit by a bus while walking around Medellin than getting in an accident traveling between cities.

Of course comparing it to the US is funny. The roads in Colorado are about 100x better and the mountains not as tall.

docwilliam says on May 10, 2008, 11:09:

I have an American news article, in my phota album that states that South Korea is the most dangerous place to drive. It was based off of fatality stats. (I saved the article because i was driving in that country at the time). I cannot give a ref. to the article because i left that photo album behind. sorry. By the way....the only cars in South Korea that do not have scuff marks, on all 4 corners, are brand new cars. hahahaha, its true.

"There's no time to panic"

nueva york bombero says on May 10, 2008, 12:04:

I've been from Cali to Pereira and Cartagena to Santa Marta by bus and not a single problem.
Both relatively short trips, but nothing nonetheless....
My friend took a bus from Buenaventura to Santa Marta (20 something hours) and not a problem either.
Go for it!!! I'll meet you there.....

Gator says on May 10, 2008, 12:05:

I feel much better after I adopted the attitude that the driver also has a vested interest in arriving safely.

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

adrimm says on May 10, 2008, 14:43:

Too true Gator.

whatzzzup says on May 10, 2008, 16:06:

I can not agree that the mountains you will find along your intended trip will be anything like what the Rockies represent in the USA. Further down the range they are higher, more peaked and rocky?

More like the Eastern Mountain range in the US. (Smokies on crack) In that they are called Rocky Mountains for a reason, jagged and peaked. The mountains in Colombia on that trip will not be so, more like high foothills. Beyond that as far as altitude they are very similar to the rockies. For a good part of your trip you won't experience mountains. You will experience HOT so hope the air is working.

Don't worry and if you don't want to look down the side of a mountain? Go at night.

In case you were wondering who has the highest mountains. Sorry to dissapoint but it is not Colombia. Mount McKinley at 6,194 m and the tallest mountain in Colombia is Pico Cristobal Colon at 5,700 m and is not along your travel plans.

As far as the bus drivers? Well I don't see how any of them live but they do. If you get motion sickness best to bring drug of choice to counter. Travel through the week and chances are you will get the seat next to you to stretch out. Weekend and holiday travel it will be more crowded.

Word to the wise don't trust anyone and don't speak to anyone on the bus.

Have a nice trip!

robi666 says on May 11, 2008, 22:43:

whatzzzup (newbie) says
"For a good part of your trip you won't experience mountains. You will experience HOT so hope the air is working."

If you're talking from Medellind to Cartagena, I guess you never took that bus. It is exactly the contrary of what you just said.

Most of the time (not most of the lenght) you'll be in the mountains.
You will experience COLD on that bus. You'd be better taking a good blanket with you if you do not want to freeze your ass.


"Word to the wise don't trust anyone and don't speak to anyone on the bus."

LOL... yes, better yet, why don't you pretend that you're deaf and blind.
When you are on the bus, it is impossible to not speak to anyone, especially if you go daytime.
The only time you won't speak to anyone in Colombia while you are travelling on the road is if you are in a hearse.

"I am a citizen of the most beautiful nation on earth. A nation whose laws are harsh yet simple, a nation that never cheats, which is immense and without borders, where life is lived in the present."

Gator says on May 12, 2008, 13:04:

disregard whatzzzup

listen to robi666

"Brevior Sltare Cum Deformibus Mulieribus Est Vita!" .

hongo_joe says on May 12, 2008, 13:17:

cali373 says on May 13, 2008, 08:36:

One thing I can tell you about Colombian bus safety. right before ANY bus even a micro leave a terminal, the driver has to present proof that they passed a breath analyzer test.

Smile if you are a thinker!