A few of the passengers on the tour bus that crashed on its way back to Ajijic from Puerto Vallarta on February 22 have questioned tour operator Viajes Ajijic about its follow up response, although the well-known local travel agency says it has gone out of its way to help passengers, both those injured and the non-injured.
Passenger Marilyn McDivitt, who was uninjured in the accident, complained that Viajes Ajijic “did nothing to aid us for hours and hours after the accident.”
Viajes Ajijic’s Angelberto Quesada said given the distances involved, a representative was unable be on the scene immediately but that he and his staff were on the phone constantly to make sure all the major emergency services were dealing with the incident in a timely fashion. The insurance company also quickly arrived at the scene, he noted.Quesada said it was unfortunate that passengers who were not injured had to wait around for the replacement bus to take them back to Ajijic but stressed the wounded had to be given preferential attention. “That’s the charitable and humane thing to do,” he said.
McDivitt did praise the fire and ambulance drivers, who she said were “outstanding in their rapid response and efficient service.”
Viajes Ajijic confirmed that all luggage belonging to passengers has now been returned and that any missing items would be covered by the bus company’s insurance.
Quesada said Viajes Ajijic was paying out of its own pocket to hire a van to transport some of the injured to a clinic in Guadalajara for follow-up outpatient treatment. He said he has heard only good things about the care they are receiving.
As for reimbursement or compensation for the trip, Quesada said this is not possible since the excursion to Vallarta had been completed. “The hotels had been used and the food eaten. Had the accident happened on the way there or during the trip, of course this would be different.”
Although that appears to be the legal bottom line, it doesn’t please everyone.
“I have yet to see Viajes Ajijic come forward with anything at all,” Marilyn McDivitt complained this week.
Nonetheless, most of the passengers seem very happy with the attention they have been provided with and say they will not try to seek any financial gain from the unfortunate accident.
Nicholas Kolpowski praised Viajes Ajijic for their “fantastic help provided to all passengers, particularly to passengers of Canadian origin.”
Only the Canadian consul in Puerto Vallarta turned up to attend to the non-injured Canadian passengers. According to passengers, a U.S. consular representative did not appear.
Some passengers have stated that the driver of the bus was not speeding at the time of the crash.
Viajes Ajijic confirmed that the driver has testified that a “mechanical failure” caused the accident.