Costa Rica Bus Travel Times Reduced 15-25 Minutes

Costa Rica Buses
San Jose Traffic is Flowing Smoothly Thanks to New Driving Restrictions.

Both Costa Rica’s public transportation and private vehicles have had to adapt to several changes recently, with driving restrictions, increased vehicle taxes, rising gas prices, and bus route changes. The good news is that, in an initial study by popular daily paper Al Día, it seems that these changes are working to help facilitate transportation around San José and bus travel times have been shortened considerably.

A test run of three bus routes — San José-La Carpio, Sabana-Cementerio, and San José-San Rafael de Desamparados — showed that the most recent vehicle restrictions have helped cut route times down from 15-25 minutes each way. The referenced restrictions are the new Placa y Pico laws, which restrict vehicle usage depending on day and license plate. The restrictions are expected to increase from only rush hours to 24-hour periods within the next week or two.

Al Día didn’t rely on only their own experiences, instead asking drivers and bus riders what they thought of drive times. Both said that they feel that routes are shorter and less-stressfull, chalking the changes up to fewer drivers and vehicles during rush hour. During the tests, several Al Día representatives hopped aboard a San José-La Carpio bus at 7:10am, typically a big time for rush hour problems.

According to the bus driver, Víctor Manuel Caracha, the route used to take approximately an hour, but now lasts about 25-35 minutes.

“This is just starting,” Caracha said, “We have to give it a chance to warm up, but we can already feel an improvement.” Notably, though there are fewer cars driving through downtown, and transit times are reduced, catching your bus may not be as easy. Bus stops are filling up more quickly, accommodating those who used to drive.

Al Día tested two other routes, and on the Sabana-Cementerio bus, noted that there were some pleased passengers, others not. Several riders noted that transit times were much reduced, while others complained that they felt no difference in route length. Though unproven, this may be because the Sabana-Cementerio route was the shortest of the three.

In contrast, on the San José-San Rafael de Desamparados bus route, passengers seemed mostly pleased. Several passengers aboard this bus noted that ride times had been reduced by an incredible 50 percent. In fact, what used to take 40-45 minutes, now takes about 20.

Though there will surely be continued growing pains along the way, the new Placa y Pico laws seem to have helped reduce Costa Rica Travel time significantly in urban areas. Though this is not the law’s primary goal — which is actually to reduce the country’s excessive gasoline consumption — it has had a very positive, and quickly recognizable side effect. Over time, results will show whether the program, in addition to increased gas prices, has had the planned effect.

In the meantime, try leaving your car at home, and seeing if your local bus route is faster and more efficient. You’ll save money, stress and now, possibly time. Not a bad deal, considering the price of gasoline and the pain of finding a parking spot downtown.

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