Bus fares going up in West; operators to meet Minister tomorrow

Beginning earlier this week, commuters on the four major bus lines operating in the western corridor – Westline, Guerra’s, B.B.O.C. and J and J – are paying about fifty cents more per run. The price of a trip to Belmopan is now seven dollars and to Benque Viejo is thirteen dollars. It was a joint decision taken by the bus owners due to their own hardships with the cost of running their bus operations. This evening, News Five has confirmed that operators will be meeting with Minister of State with responsibility for Transport, Edmond Castro, on Thursday in Belmopan to discuss the new prices and what the ministry can do to help operators ease their costs. When the operators previously asked for such concessions as duty-free fuel, they were rebuffed, but the hope is that the Ministry softens its line on this as both operators and consumers are feeling the pinch. As for commuters, there are some who are paying the increased fares out of respect for the operators and others who refuse, but our source explained that if there are some concessions made by the Transport Department then they will be willing to revisit the issue of prices.