It’s more common than you may think, or even realize when it happens to you.
You’ve boarded a fast-moving and crowded bus, and are so grateful to get a seat. You’re showing all the signs of being exasperated and disoriented, a little giddy perhaps. You’ve already made yourself a prime target.
you as a passenger. Even more, the farther you get away from big cities, even fewer rules apply.
Now I’m not trying to scare you. Buses aren’t a criminal activity by any means. They are a legitimate business, and you are their customer, in all cases.
The cobrador (conductor) is just a guy (or increasingly, a gal) with a fold of bills in his hand and coins in his pocket, and he and the driver are in business to keep their bus company afloat. Sometimes he will be less than honest and take advantage of you to make a tiny bit more profit. But other times, he or she is just too busy doing additions and subtractions on the spot with multiple other things on his mind to realize you’ve been quoted incorrectly. You will never know, so it’s a waste of time trying to judge.
To help you deal with potential fare scamming, here are some basic tips to keep your travels less aggravating:
Stay positive
You’re not alone, the first, or the last, so don’t take it personally if you get fare scammed. There are much worse things, and you should always maintain a sense of humor and better think of it as a trophy story to tell if you’ve been scammed.
You’ll spend more on lunch
The amount you could be potentially scammed is trivial pocket change
Don’t leave a bad impression
Be relaxed. Flailing your arms all over the place, creating a bunch of noise stuffing your bag in the overhead compartment, panting, asking questions rapidly, add to making you look not only like a fool, but a sucker, too.
Play the pro
Look like you know the system, even if you don’t. When you get on a bus, behave like you’ve done it a million times before. Be bored with the whole routine, actually, and adopt the body language of the locals on board, immediately
Assist with your solution
If you think you’re getting overcharged, don’t lose your temper. Be polite. Explain your confusion and what you assumed the fare would be based on your expectations. Do some simple math with the cobrador, but ask him for his help instead of accusing him. If he sees you’re trying to work with him, you greatly improve your chances for him “helping you out” and saving him from being defensive. Plus, you’ll make a friend!
Just ask
Before the cobrador reaches your seat, ask your neighbor what the fare is to your destination, “Cuánto se cobra a _____?“.
Do the math
The rule of thumb is $1.25 for every hour of travel. So a two-hour trip should be more or less $2.50, but exceptions are justified if it’s a bus with sleeper seats, or if the bus is a direct route with no stops.
Appreciate local differences
For some reason, the coastal routes of Ecuador are more prone to fare scamming, so be more alert there.
In all the years I’ve been traveling buses, I estimate I’ve lost $5 in total due to fare scamming. That’s it. So don’t sweat it too much. Concentrate on enjoying yourself and not on losing the nickels and dimes.
What about you? I would love to hear your own tips on how to avoid fare scams, how to differentiate a scam from a non-issue, or how to exhibit model behavior when faced with such a situation. Just share your comments below. Kali Kucera is President of AndesTransit and also known as “the bus guy” for his adventures across South America by bus. He is co-author of “South America Borders” and “365 Days of South American Festivals.”
