Bip! ! !

Our commute to work at Acción Emprendedora in Puente Alto can be simply described as complicated, but that makes it all the more exciting. It has taken me some time to perfect my “micro” skills. Getting off the bus is quite simple and safe, but getting on during peak hours can be a struggle. In 2002 the government came up with a new transportation program dubbed Trans-Santiago. It consisted of new bus routes and new equipment (like Bip! Cards). The new design centralized bus routes by focusing on using major avenues to transport people to and from the metro. Therefore, the metro was envisioned for longer commutes, while the bus system was effective at short distances. In my opinion, the system functions effectively and most Chileans I have met agree that there has been some drastic improvements in respect to cleanliness, safety, and frequency. However, one thing we can all agree on is that the metro is overwhelmed during peak hours, which forces some stations to temporally close until the crowds subside. The train platforms are packed with people trying to get on a train that is already filled with people. It’s best just to wait for the next train, which is frequently only one minute away… specially if you are a little claustrophobic.