tkessler2

Textnow works and it is free. You do have to keep refreshing your number or they will delete it. I use callcentric.com to ring 3 locations I have simultaneously and they are pretty cheap, just a few dollars/mo. . They forward text messages to your email and accept most SMS messages from banks, etc. All US phone numbers have a type identifier that callers can query to determine if they are VoIP, cellular, regular landline, etc. Every financial institution sets their own security policy which is why some messages work and others don't. Most usually have a "call me" option that works if the SMS doesn't.

Consider the new policies where you pay by the Km. I have https://miituo.com/ which is backed by Seguros Atlas. Premiums very inexpensive, if you don't drive that much its a steal. I've had a few claims over the years, excellent service. There are other providers backed by the majors. Just google "seguro por km".

Telmex upgraded a lot of areas where they had DSL to VDSL. Where they didn't, the remaining DSL is getting changed to fiber. But I think the VDSL areas are too recent a capex to trash them and change to fiber, maybe with some exceptions. Competition is fierce, they can't ignore it either.

Acotron in Guadalajara

On the windshield I think I just paid something nominal and they paid everything else....Need to check the T&C's exactly but the coverage is pretty normal...

Yes...note one needs to review how many km's you drive...There's a breakeven point ..but if you don't drive that much the savings are huge...note there are other providers...just google "seguro por Km". Some of the other providers put a dongle on the car that reports automatically. I had one claim so far for a rock on windshield, no problem...you can read the reviews on the backstop insurer.

If you don't drive that much check out Miituo. Its pay by Km and they reinsure with Atlas which gives fine service. You take a picture of your odometer every month. My last bill was 12 pesos because I barely drove that month!. Like 0.58 MXN per Km..

Ofi5 in Guadalajara...Take your stuff there and watch them. https://goo.gl/maps/nnBmzb8LCSZDq1Hw8

Adult Trike for sale in Rancho del Oro. Ideal for running errands on the carretera bike path. $5000 MXN 3331071859

This place in GDL worked well for me: https://destruccionesofi5.com/contacto/ was cheap too...I did stay and watch them...but that was just me.

The Chapala Plus direct line does have a schedule that is reasonably respected. The local lines theoretically run every half hour but they are subject to wide variation, especially when traffic jams up. The buses ARE equipped with GPS trackers that already report to the bus company security system, they know exactly where any bus is at any given time. But that info is currently closed. There is a spec, called GTFS, that can take that data and open it up to tracking apps one can put on a cell phone. Those apps can show you schedules, from the real time data show you when the next bus will arrive, even show you the current position of the buses. Its up the bus company and the community to make this happen. There is an expense in doing so, but its not that onerous. There are also security considerations and we have to respect those. We don't know what the bus company is willing or not willing to share, but if we can at least get next arrivals and departures in real time, would be a great improvement. The Ribera de Chapala has this incredible geometry that makes it a linear city. If you can get anywhere along the highway, about anywhere you want to go is only about 4 blocks either side. Most people don't like the uncertainty of the wait. They also don't like other things, like crowds and dirt. But imagine for a minute if you're away from Ajijic centro and want to go into town, or over to Wal-mart or San Juan. Its probably a short walk down to your closest stop. If the tracker app tells you when the next bus will be there, you can enjoy your coffee or shop a bit longer, and time your walk to the stop. Suddenly a lot of trips you might have made by car you're willing to hop on a bus. More rides on the bus means more revenue for the bus company, maybe more frequent buses, and higher quality service. And fewer cars going up and down the highway. We have a lot of visitors to the area without cars. Their quality of stay would improve. So thats the idea. We want to do what we can to encourage the bus company to do this. Maybe at first with some financial help from different sources so its not all on them. But once its implemented, I'm sure it'll be a good deal for them too. Please help by filling out the survey and giving us your best thoughts. We need energetic feedback from the community to make this happen. https://forms.gle/6n4EXwDwn66R4Cgx8 @Honeybee As you pointed out, just having good printed info on the schedules will also be helpful. That is low lying fruit and we are working on a doc. Thanks for your feedback.

The bus company already has trackers on their buses, but there is a significant expense to add the General Transit Feed capability which enables tracking apps. Like any project, there's a business case to be made. The investment, payback in higher ridership, the benefit to the community, etc. The bus company didn't want to know how much we were willing to pay, we the organizers want to know. With that info we can make a thoughtful proposal. A good proposal will have everyone with a little skin in the game.

Good evening everyone! A group of residents in the Lake Chapala area have entered discussions with the Chapala-Guadalajara Bus Company to create a bus tracking app. All residents in the Lake Chapala community are encouraged to complete this questionnaire to collect useful data helpful to proceeding with this project. https://forms.gle/6n4EXwDwn66R4Cgx8