PUERTO VALLARTA — Puerto Vallarta has begun the process of overhauling its entire public bus system in an effort to provide passengers with high-quality service, and that’s good news for the many visitors to PVR who take public transportation to get around the city.

The new buses are being produced by DINA, a Mexican automotive producer of specialty vehicles, and will feature air conditioning, security cameras, information screens and a payment system for prepaid cards.

Eight buses went into operation earlier this month, with an additional 90 buses being added gradually until December.

“Puerto Vallarta is one of those destinations where visitors feel comfortable using our public transportation system to explore the city,” said Javier Aranda Pedrero, Director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. “We are eager to provide a world-class bus system worthy of Puerto Vallarta not only to our visitors but to our local community, many of which work to make Puerto Vallarta an international tourist destination.”

The new public buses will run on gas, lowering pollution in the city. Drivers will also be trained to meet all the requirements of Jalisco’s Department of Transportation and to ensure that drivers no longer speed to pick up passengers. In addition, a new night service with a transportation starting at midnight will be added to provide service industry workers with safe transportation during the hours that many locals travel to work at hotels, restaurants, tours, etc. The Buho (owl in Spanish) will operate the main routes of Puerto Vallarta.

During the implementation phase, Puerto Vallarta ’s public transportation system will be hosting an introduction period to local authorities, hoteliers, and members of the local population to introduce the service. Presentations will also be done at schools and brochures will be distributed to bus riders using the current system to ensure maximum exposure of the new routes and payment system.