Another Fare Hike, Another Promise of Better Buses

Bus fares are going up again, and for only the second time in a decade, operators are blaming rising fuel costs. Along with the increase comes a familiar promise, better service and upgraded buses. But commuters have heard this line before, and the last time, after the 2016 hike, many say little actually changed. Tonight, Transport Minister Dr. Louis Zabaneh and Belize Bus Association President Philip Jones insist this new agreement is different and finally strikes the right balance. Still, for many riders, the assurances sound uncomfortably similar to promises made ten years ago.

 

On The Phone: Dr. Louis Zabaneh, Minister of Transport

“So to assure commuters that all was done to have a balanced approach between sharing the burden of these price hikes in the world fuel prices, shared among the operators themselves, the commuters and the Government of Belize. The discussion did cover the fact that their road service permits have certain conditions that they need to meet. We did have some conversation about the strategy of the government on modernizing the highway sector and that we’ll be following up the middle of next month with discussions on the village sector.” 

 

Edmond Castro, Minister of Transport (File: September 13, 2016)

“I’ll be meeting with the southern region and then also with the northern region to deal with the situation as it relates to increase of fares or the balancing of fares.  And also we are impressing on the bus operators because commuters want them to do more in terms of the safety of their buses, the standees, the overcrowding of buses.  So if the commuters will in some areas, not all areas, if they will be asked to pay more they are asking for a better service from the providers.”

 

Thomas Shaw, President, Belize Bus Association (File: September 8, 2016)

“The sentiments out there with the operators and we have to understand that progress brings problems and at the end of the day if you want good service then you’ve gotta pay for it.  So basically if the operators are given what they are asking for then maybe they can provide a better service.”

 

On The Phone: Philip Jones, President, Belize Bus Association

“This is our lifeline, like I said before. All operators are on board to ensure that they provide high quality service and continue to improve.”

 

 

But after years of overcrowded buses, inconsistent schedules and aging fleets, many commuters are taking a wait-and-see approach. The names may have changed, but the promise remains the same and for many Belizeans, so does the skepticism.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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