In a move aimed at alleviating traffic congestion and increasing the efficiency of public transportation, the Chapala municipal government is developing a plan to formalize local bus routes and establish safe pickup and drop-off points for passengers.
The initial proposal presented by Traffic Department Director Gerardo Bautista Mejía was reviewed this week by the city council’s Commission on Public Security, Urban Mobility and Civil Protection. The blueprint covers all six bus routes already operated in the municipality: Chapala-Ajijic, Colonia Plaza de Toros, Barrio Tepehua, Barrio Guadalupe, Chapala-Atotonilquillo and Chapala-San Juan Tecomatlán.
Members of the commission suggested increasing service to and from Atotonilquillo, currently limited to two runs per day and adding another route for Avenida González Gallo to facilitate transport to the IMSS clinic. They agreed to schedule a group trip to become more familiar with the experiences of bus travelers and pedestrians, as well as points of conflict for motorists. After that, they will set up consultation with management of Autotransportes Guadalajara-Chapala to fine tune orderly mapping of the bus routes.
The first change will be to eliminate the bus stops situated outside the company’s main terminal on both sides of Avenida Madero at the corner of Miguel Martínez. Within the next three weeks these will be relocated one block south at the main avenue’s intersection with Flavio Romero-Manzanillo.