Frequently Asked Questions / WHAT IF’S

? How did you all come up with this idea?
In 1990, cross cultural visual artists, Toni Hafter and Lalo Obregon had the opportunity to create something for Festival 2000 that would hopefully bring people together and at the same time introduce San Francisco to a little bit of popular Mexican culture. They found themselves researching buses in Mexico City, and El Volado, a special vehicle with a special purpose was born, traversing the divisions of culture, race, and age. 10 years of operating has proved that dancing, color, music and joy can surely transform our environment and our perceptions of "the other".

?What does Volado mean?
A wild interpretation of Urban Mexican Folkart, "El Volado" , The Mexican Bus stretches the imagination and allows passengers boarding it’s colorful staircase to step into another reality. Created in 1990 for Festival 2000 by visual artists Toni Hafter and Lalo Obregón in collaboration with a crew of talented artists and technicians in San Francisco , The Mexican Bus is an allegorical expression of popular Mexican culture. The creation of "El Volado" was based on research gathered during conversations with retired and working bus drivers of the Union, RUTA 100 of Mexican City to whom this bus is affectionately dedicated.
More recently in 2001, the newly designed, "Lola" Bus has brightened the Bay Area streets with it’s beautiful sunshine colors. Created by Volado’s Toni Hafter in collaboration with Chicano playwrite and director, Richard Talavera, Lola’s big diesel engine gets her out on the road and into the country. "She’s got the Power" is dedicated to all the creatures of San Pancho.

Cultural History
Up until twenty years ago passengers in Mexico City could still enjoy riding in unconventional style on a city bus. In those days, which began in the thirties with the expansion of public transportation, bus drivers were assigned their own buses in which they often worked a grueling fifteen hour day.
Because of the long hours spent inside their vehicles, buses became extensions of each man’s personal taste. All sorts of objects connected with the passions and interests of the drivers filled the front compartments. Elements of sports, wrestling heroes, religious icons, film stars and of course favorite musicians could always be seen in amusing contrast to a baroque interior splashed in colored light. Saint Cristobal, the patron saint of bus drivers and a miniature altar dedicated to the Virgin of Guadalupe always graced the front of the cabin.
Passengers and passerby’s would delight in the garish parade of colored lights running along the length of the buses inside and out as well as on the front and rear. When the driver pushed the brakes, the dash would light up and a mandatory blue glass Nivea creme jar would flash momentarily. Popular proverbs and jokes were painted carefully by hand on the walls of the interior and often one would see a host of names of favorite girlfriends engraved into the mirror suspended above the drivers head.
Drivers kept up their spirits by playing their favorite music at top level treating their captive audiences to a medley of romantic love songs or tropical mambos and rhumbas, depending on his mood. Frequently a driver would allow a troubadour to come on board and earn his bread by entertaining the passengers with a few tunes. Once one was inside, each bus took on a life of it’s own as its driver was free to create and control the scenarios.
Similar traditions of decorating public vehicles exist in Central and South America, India, the Philippines and South Africa and it is from this Mexican tradition that some Mexican American low riders have been inspired to decorate their own vehicles.

? WHAT IF WE DON’T GO TO THE CLUBS WE EXPECTED?
The Mexican Bus usually has a prearranged itinerary of clubs for any evening
and, this itinerary is subject to change without notice. Changes may include
the amount of clubs we go to, the order we go to them, and any variation in
the schedule of any sort. The Mexican Bus does not guaranty entrance into
specific clubs regardless of our predetermined itinerary. A Club may deny
Mexican Bus passengers entrance due to: overcrowding (fire marshall rules)
private promotions, or changes in management or staff. All clubs reserve the "Right to Refuse Service" to anyone. Changes in the itinerary are usually for the benefit of the tour and are based on the discretion of the Mexican Bus staff. We ask you to trust us.

? WHAT IF MY PARTY FLAKES OUT?
Example:" I paid for 7 tickets and only 4 showed up. Coño!!!, Chin!!!, Rats!!!"
You have the chance to sell your tickets at the door just like at a
theater show. The Mexican Bus does not refund you.
Moral: Only pay what you're sure of.

? WHAT IF THE BUS ARRIVED LATE. CAN WE GET A REFUND?
If The Mexican Bus arrives over 45 minutes late due to traffic, mechanical
problems or our own pendejadas, passengers who refrain from boarding the
late bus may receive a full refund. If you do board the bus for the Salsa Night Club Tour you will be ineligible for any kind of refund.

? WHAT IF WE HAVE TO CANCEL OUR PARTY, CAN WE HAVE A REFUND?
* If you cancel at least 30 days prior to the event, you will receive a full
refund of your deposit.
* If you cancel 14 days before the event you will receive a full refund minus
the $10 non-refundable deposit per person.
? After that:
There is no refund for the Latin club tours. Many people call in advance for
the same dates, and once we guarantee your seats, we turn others away. It’s
just like concert tickets, so just pay for what you’re sure of. Have your
indecisive friends take the risk and send in their payment separately.

? WHAT IF THE BUS BREAKSDOWN?
The Mexican Bus will give a complete refund if we cancel the tour due to bus failure. The Mexican Bus is "Viejito", a 1965 vintage classic bus and like other veteranos it may experience unforeseen breakdowns. Even LOLA, a 1973 Bluebird has her difficult days. In this case, the Mexican Bus may hire another bus for the Salsa Night Club Tour.
However, if you are informed in advance that The Mexican Bus is out of commission and you still chose to go on the Salsa Night Club Tour you will not receive a refund. If we are unable to inform you that the Mexican Bus is out of commission before the night of your event and you choose not to go on the Club Tour, you may leave your name with the host that evening to receive a full refund.

? WHAT IF WE DECIDE TO LEAVE EARLY?
The Mexican Bus will not give refunds to passengers who choose to leave early for what ever reason.

? WHAT IF WE LOST SOMETHING ON BOARD?
The Mexican Bus is not responsible for items lost during the evening. Cell
phones, cameras, jackets and rings are continually left on board. If you think you left something and we find it we’ll hold it for a week only. Please call our office to arrange to pick it up.

? WHAT IF WE’RE BORACHO AND CAN’T GET IN TO THE CLUB?
Clubs will not let people in who are visibly drunk or aggressive (y que
bueno!). They will be refused at the door and may have to wait outside.

? PARA BORACHOS/ DRUNKS O PESADOS/HEAVY’S, OJO! WATCH OUT!
The Mexican Bus will not give refunds to any passenger asked to leave because of their rude, violent, drunken, drugged, dangerous or destructive behavior towards our staff or anyone on the bus. We are responsible for the safety and well being of our passengers. People presenting a threat to other passengers or to themselves or refusing to follow the rules of the bus will be asked to leave without explanation and without a refund.

? WHAT IF WE WANT TO BRING OUR OWN DRINKS ON THE TOUR?
Actually, The Mexican Bus does not encourage drinking or drug use on board
during our Night Club tours. We offer a complimentary toast to bless the
evening and any special person or event, and generally get a good vibe going. All other alcoholic beverages will be confiscated and returned to their owners at the end of the evening. Non- alcoholic but suspicious bottles of cranberry, orange juice or cokes may also be collected if they contain alcohol. We’re there to whisk you through the night safely and we encourage you to last the whole evening.