Commuters complain about end of one day bus route
Last week we reported on a new dispute brewing between the Transport Department and National Transport Limited over the interruption in one of National’s new runs. National Transports claims it introduced the run last Wednesday from Belize City to Benque Viejo within their time schedule and that it had so informed the Transport Department by letter. But on Thursday, the Department, with the assistance of police officers, intercepted the bus near the Mile four checkpoint on the Western Highway and ordered everyone to get off and to take another bus, which was several minutes behind. Today News Five was called to the bus terminal in Belize City where we found some travelers frustrated and irate by the Department’s decision to discontinue the run.
Ronald Meighan, Commuter
“Watch how crowded the buses. We need the express buses from here to Benque for the mere fact that commuters need it. This morning I miss work because I don’t want to get on a crowded bus that’s going to take two hours, I’m already late, so might as well. I need to have that particular bus in the morning.”
Kurt Black, Commuter
“I can leave on an earlier bus, yes I can but it’s a little bit inconvenient for me, you know, it’s just a shame. I really need this service, it’s a plus for me, you know what I’m saying. As long as I can go take care of my father then after that I need to come back and go to work myself.”
Marion Ali
“So what are you doing now that the run has been discontinued?”
Kurt Black
“Right now I just have to get there the best way I can.”
Maurice Usher, Commuter
“Thursday I come and I try ketch di bus and di people dehn just—I di wait in deh and I jus see di crowd di goh outside fi Belmopan, caz I done know di usual people deh. So wen I come outside I see di bus park outside. I ask deh weh happen, dehn seh dehn noh want di bus run. Why? Because ah di government. Ah seh why dehn wah play political games wid di bus deh and people need di bus dehn?”
Eric Cattouse, Commuter
“I noh know if deh yah people noh understand really dat we dah everyday commuters. All we want do dah get dah work, come back from work and pay wah price weh reasonable. I noh have no next option, weh ah have to do dah ketch di crowded bus, wah bus weh wah tek two hours, stop every minute and ah have to stand up. Yoh can’t relieve di stress and di clogging ah di bus if yoh di tek bus off ah—yoh noh want bus run. I just can’t understand, just please, wi need dis service.”
Representatives for the company say they are willing to apply for a permit if that is what is required. In the meantime, commuters are inconvenienced since it will take some time before the Board even meets to consider National’s request.
