Bogotá has a modern transportation system. Which includes an international airport, bus lines, taxis, the TransMilenio bus rapid transit system, and even a train that serves as transportation for the outskirts of the city? Buses are the main means of mass transportation. There are two bus systems: the traditional system and the trasmilenio. The traditional system runs a variety of bus types, operated by several companies on normal streets and avenues:

•    bus: large buses.
•    Buseta: medium size buses.
•    microbus or colectivo: vans or minivans.

The buses are divided into two categories:

Ejecutivo which is supposed to be a deluxe service and is not supposed to carry standing passengers.

Corriente or normal service.

Bus fares range, as of March 2006, from COP 900 to 1250 (US$ .40 aprox.) In addition, Bogotá has several types of taxis. Yellow taxis (cabs) are by far the most common. People often use them in order to get to their destination faster, although they are more expensive. Bogotá also has white taxis, used mostly as shuttles between hotels and the El Dorado airport.

Airports

The principal airport in Bogotá is El Dorado International Airport. Some national airlines (Avianca, AeroRepública, AIRESSATENA), and international airlines (such as Iberia, American Airlines, Varig, Copa, Continental, Delta, Air Canada, TACA) operate from El Dorado. Bogotá’s airport is one of the largest and most expensive in Latin America. Because of its central location in Colombia and America, it is preferred by national land transportation providers, as well as national and international air transportation providers. Currently, a major expansion of El Dorado airport is in the planning stage.

Image via Flickr

Bus Terminals

Bogotá has two bus systems, the traditional system and Trasmilenio. The traditional system runs a variety of bus types, operated by some companies on normal streets and avenues: Bus (large buses), Buseta (medium size buses) and Colectivo (vans or minivans).Bogotá has terminals for national and international bus routes, this terminal serves routes to the majority of cities and towns in Colombia (1) and is the largest in the country. International services are provided to Ecuador and Venezuela by certain bus companies.

TransMilenio

TransMilenio is a bus fast transit system, a network combining modern articulated buses that operate on exclusive roads (busways) and smaller buses (feeders) that operate in residential areas, bringing passengers to the main grid. TransMilenio’s main routes are: Caracas Avenue, 80th Street, Avenue of the Americas, Northern Highway (Autopista Norte), Jiménez Avenue, and 30th Avenue (also referred to as Norte Quito Sur or N.Q.S. for short). The Suba Avenue routes and the southern leg of the 30th Avenue route were opened in April 2006. The third phase of the system will cover 7th Avenue, 10th Avenue, and 26th Street (or Avenida El Dorado). The system is expected to cover the entire city by 2030. The Transmilenio rapid bus service is extremely cheap, clean and efficient and carries commuters to numerous corners of the city. While the Transmilenio is expansive, there are some main routes that are not yet reached.

Security on Transmilenio

As in any other highly crowded area, users of TransMilenio must be aware that when riding the system they are exposed to pickpockets. Isolated instances of people getting mugged have been reported as well. Security on buses and in stations is handled by police officers employed by the city. However, most of the time the officers assigned are recently graduated highschool students serving their mandatory year with the armed forces (’Policía Bachiller’). Higher ranking officers are assigned as supervisors and respond when a Policía Bachiller requests assistance.

Bike Paths Network

Bogotá’s network of bike paths, also called ciclorutas, is one of the most extensive dedicated bike path networks of any city in the world, with a total extension of 303 km. It extends from the north of the city, 170th Street, to the south, 27th Street, and from Monserrate on the east, to the Bogotá River on the west. The cicloruta was started by the Antanas Mockus administration (1995-1998), and considerably extended during the administration of Mayor Enrique Peñalosa. On Sundays, many people ride a popular tourist train with their family. On weekends, the train runs from Bogotá to Zipaquirá and Nemocón, towns on the outskirts of Bogotá. A lack of security on bike paths has caused many would-be riders to search for more traditional means of transportation.

Streetfilms-Ciclovia (Bogotá, Colombia)

Every Sunday and holiday, every week, the City of Bogotá, Colombia closes down over 70 miles of roadways to cars and let people bike, walk, talk, exercise, picnic, sunbathe, I could go on and on. Just watch the video, it’s amazing. This video comes t…