Bus lines hike fares, cite fuel costs

Bus commuters across Belize are bracing themselves tonight after the country’s main transportation providers announced that because of current world fuel prices, starting next Monday, a new, higher rate structure will be introduced. Efforts to elicit comment from the management of Novelos Bus Company, Belize’s largest, were unsuccessful as owners say they will be holding a press conference Friday to divulge the details of the price hike. And while consumers were willing to talk to the media, those we spoke to were surprisingly nonchalant.

Citizen #1

“We no have good transport anyway because most of the time you stand up or the bus no want to stop. Why should it increase and we can’t get good transport?”

Janelle Chanona

“They’re saying the increase in fuel, world fuel prices, have forced them to increase their fares in order to cope with it.”

Citizen #1

“Okay, well that’s okay, except we want better service.”

Citizen #2

“It would be a very big impact because I travel from Corozal and I’m having a big problem right now trying to cope with the prices.”

Citizen #3

“People especially weh the work da Belize and live out district deh need a special price fu go and come everyday.”

Citizen #4

“Throughout the world, gas, petrol has gone up. In Italy, it’s four dollars and sixty-seven cents U.S. per gallon. In England, it’s even higher than Belize. In Jamaica it’s three times higher than Belize; we’ve got to pay our dues.”

Janelle Chanona

“So how will affect you financially everyday?”

Citizen #4

“Well you got to tighten your belt for everything in life young lady. There’s nothing free in this world.”

Citizen #5

“I wah try work with the bus fee, whatever Novelos wah charge.”

The press conference will be held at the Sports Council conference room at the City Centre starting at 10:00 a.m.