combi vs colectivo in Mexico

Question

What's the difference between a combi and a colectivo in Mexico? If they're the same, then which is the prefered term or does it vary by region? Thanks!

Colectivo is very common in Mexico. - gocush, Apr 17, 2011

Answer 1

Lorenzo is right, Combi is a trademark name for a VW van.

In México, combis were widely used in the 80s and 90s as minibuses, for passenger transportation.

The 1100cc motor of this combi has been replaced with a pair of motors of higher displacement and they don´t require gasoline! - 005faa61, Apr 18, 2011

Answer 2

I thought you might like this wee video of the combis in Lima, Peru.

link text

Fantastic, Amy, but why is it so calm? Usually there are dozens stopping in the middle of the street, fighting for passengers, the drivers treating the traffic like he´s in a fairground ride. Still the chaos works. - Encalada, Apr 18, 2011

Answer 3

In Perú, a combi is a minivan serving as a bus and a colectivo is a taxi shared by passengers where´s there´s usually no or a limited bus service.

This was the same where I lived in Peru. The combis and colectivos all followed set routes like a bus would in the UK. :) - amy_moreno, Apr 18, 2011

Yeah, Amy, there are set rules, but understanding them in Lima is like learning rocket science. I just asked the cobrador or a local. - Encalada, Apr 18, 2011

Answer 4

In my experience, a "colectivo" is more of a tourist shuttle van or larger bus.

Answer 5

Combi means a particular kind of VW van, just like in English.

Answer 6

The SD dictionary indicates colectivo as "minibus" is used in Argentina and Bolivia. Maybe someone else can say if it's used in Mexico.

Answer 7

I meant automobile (car).

OK. - Encalada, Apr 19, 2011

Answer 8

Wow, thanks all for your answers and photos and I loved the video of Peru. I need this for a book I'm writing. I rode all over rural Mexico in automobuke taxis that followed a specific route (typically from a town to a village or rancho). It seems most people called those taxis combis, but sometimes they were called colectivos. But I'm not sure I trust my memory. I think based on your responses I should call them colectivos. Thank you all so much!

What´s an automobuke? I´ve never heard this term. Do you mean mototaxi? - Encalada, Apr 18, 2011