Bus Fares Gone Up

Commuters, as well as some bus owners across the country are equally incensed, following a recent adjustment in bus fares which has since come into effect.  In September, bus operators from the west proceeded to arbitrarily adjust the cost of tickets to and from certain destinations along their routes.  The general complaint among operators was that bus runs were no longer profitable since the cost of fuel and maintenance has gone up considerably.  A subsequent meeting with Transport Minister Edmond Castro, along with a team from the Transport Department, resulted in those charges being temporarily reverted.  In the interim, the Belize Transport Board gave careful consideration to the proposed rate adjustments prior to approval by Cabinet and later being gazetted.  That process concluded at the end of October and new rates have since been implemented. In some areas bus fares have skyrocketed, according to the Transport Department. The department says that James Bus Line has reduced prices for its route from Belize City to Belmopan; while up north, competition between bus lines has driven the prices down.  But worst-hit are persons traveling from Punta Gorda to Belize City where one-way travel now stands at twenty-eight dollars.