New bus routes for the western zone

Turning to the highways, the zoning of bus routes was first introduced in October 2008. That solved some problems but created others like in the case of the northern zone, which is tied up in litigation over road service permits. But come Monday, there will be new changes in the schedules for the western runs. After a recent meeting of the operators for that zone and the Transport Department, the runs were re-worked and the Chief Transport Officer, Candelaria Saldivar, told us via phone that they hope the changes will eliminate a number of problems.

Via Phone: Candelaria Saldivar, Chief Transport Officer
“With the new schedule we’re hoping that we can reduce the overcrowding of buses and the schedule also takes into consideration areas like eight miles and Hattieville, Mahogany Heights and Cotton Tree areas that we have been getting complaints about in terms of movement of people. So we’re hoping that this new schedule will deal with those situations.”

Delahnie Bain
“Is there—can we look forward to a new schedule for the northern zone as well?”

Via Phone: Candelaria Saldivar
“We are still awaiting the completion of the case with the injunction on the department for the northern zone. But what we have been doing is that we are gathering information in terms of the amount of people leaving from the northern districts of Corozal and Orange Walk and logging the amount of passenger movements between those areas so that whenever the injunction and the court is over then we can start with the new scheduling for the northern zone.”

Delahnie Bain
“Based on your meetings and consultations with the bus operators, they are all okay with the schedule? No disputes or anything?”

Via Phone: Candelaria Saldivar
“We have some minor complaints from some of the operators that felt that they did not get as much as they did last year but at the end of the day everybody agreed to work with the schedule that we have in place.”