The price of fuel rises at the pump

Less than a month after P.M. Barrow’s blunt announcement that things will be considerably harder in the upcoming fiscal year, Belizeans will have to go even deeper into their pockets. Fuel prices once again climbed above the nine dollar margin on Tuesday.  The increase caught many by surprise and from what we found out at one Belize City service station, some consumers were oblivious to the recent price hike.

Isani Cayetano

“Were you aware that there was a recent increase in the price of fuel over the past few days?”

Consumer

“No, no I wasn’t aware.”

Isani Cayetano

“How are you preparing to cope with the recent increase considering the fact that about a month and a half or so ago there was an increase on fuel?”

Consumer

“Well usually when I come to the pump I usually pay.  I not even look pan the meter fu see what dah di price fu di gallon if ih gone up or gone down because usually if I goh up by ten cents or twenty cents dah wah headache and I noh like cope with too much headache.  So I just pay thirty dollars, put dat een deh and I drive off.”

Isani Cayetano

“Are you driving a fuel efficient vehicle or do you find yourself having to come to the tank more often than not?”

Consumer

“Fortunately, for me it’s a four cylinder very fuel efficient.”

Despite the exchange rate of one Benjamin to two Belize dollars, American visitors are still complaining about the noticeable difference in fuel prices.  A one-week stay in Belize has cost these visitors an arm and a leg to keep the engine of their rental SUV running.

Tourist

It’s definitely higher I’d say a dollar fifty to two per gallon higher than what we average pay in the U.S.

Isani Cayetano

What kind of fuel are you using in this vehicle?

Tourist

This is a premium for the rental.

Isani Cayetano

And do you know that the cost of premium went up by thirty-one cents that‘s because over the past month or so there was a price increase.  How long are you gonna be in Belize for?

Tourist

Ah, just another week.

Isani Cayetano

Are you prepared to deal with the cost of fuel for this particular rental?

Tourist

Yes we are because we’re turning the car in today.

During the first year of the Barrow administration there was talk of regulating the price hike on fuel.  Since then prices have been inching closer to the ten dollar mark; relatively expensive considering the sharp decrease in 2008.