Ecuador: Risk still persists for interprovincial bus travel from robberies

BUS TRAVEL (ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT) IN ECUADOR IS STILL RISKY BUSINESS FOR TRAVELERS FOR ASSAULTS

EXPAT IS VICTIM OF THEFT AS BUS IS HELD UP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT ON ROUTE FROM CUENCA TO GUAYAQUIL

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In my book “100 Points to Consider Before Moving or Retiring in Ecuador”, I emphasize the risk of travel in vehicles and that annually a lot of people are killed and maimed. Despite significant improvement and expansion of the highway system, the problem of road safety remains in large part due to driver’s errors. It is also my opinion that it is extremely risky to travel by bus at night in Ecuador. Not only because of the increased chances of an accident at night but, the chances of an armed robbery or assault of a bus still exists. Despite improved safety measures and cameras on buses and emergency buttons, the exposure to such an event is present.

The following report is an assault and robbery on a full bus on September 23, 2016. An expat on board was one of the victims and explains in detail the experience. To the best of my knowledge, this incident was not reported in media. The victim’s story was posted on a Facebook Group Ecuador Emergency. It is presented here for your perusal and to be made more aware of the potential risks of bus travel,especially at night. The victim’s name is not used in this post to protect her identity.

VICTIM’S ACCOUNT OF BUS ROBBERY (NOT EDITED)
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Friday night September 23 I was on bus #15 from Cuenca to Guayaquil direct through the Cajas. I was on my way to catch a 5 AM flight to the states. At midnight, several people got off the full bus. At that point there was some commotion and some of my fellow passengers were panicking but I didn’t understand what was going on. We were being routed off the highway onto a country road by several men with pistols. They then mounted the bus, their mouths covered with scarfs and demanded money, cell phones, gold. One man grabbed my bag and pulled my money belt from me. I grabbed my passport and cedula back and told him I needed it for a flight. He let me keep it.
We were detained by the police who arrived sometime after, with the reason that they were were looking locally for the robbers, who had long ago left in a vehicle.
Some of the robbers had been passengers on the bus. Our losses were never recorded by the police. A friend told me this hasn’t hit the news. So here it is. I am never again going to take a night bus.
Oh yeh, and they took the shoes of passengers that they thought might run after them. No one was physically hurt.
Has anyone heard about this incident or have any advise about how to report it? It was a frightening and costly experience. Fortunately, I just made my plane and had enough money elsewhere to get a cab to the airport. My credit card was used to buy books before I got to cancel it!!!
This is particularly distressing because no steps seemed to be taken by the police to document our losses. Basically, some people left the bus station without shoes or money or means of communicating.
Doesn’t make any sense to me. I find this quite unacceptable.