Old Novelo’s terminal will reopen to commuters

After weeks of lying dormant, the former Novelo’s bus terminal on West Collet Canal was today a beehive of activity. A heavy duty tow truck was on site, preparing to haul away the rolling assets of the Development Finance Corporation. And while commuters were still forced to use the street, according to Planning and Policy officer for the Ministry of Transport Glenn Tillett, within the next few days, some seventy-five buses will be using this terminal as city’s main hub for transportation. Tillett says workers are already busy preparing the building for passengers.

Glenn Tillett, Planning and Policy Officer, Min. of Transport
? We are hiring people, we are first of all going to finish the cleaning, we are going to power wash the entire public concourse, clean the floors. We have electrical people making sure that all the lights and the fans work. We had plumbers redo the bathroom to make sure that we have clean, usable bathrooms. We will charge a small fee to the public to use the bathroom. We will charge a small fee to the bus service providers for them to use the terminals. We are hoping that money will pay for the upkeep and maintenance of the terminal during this interim period until a final decision is made as to what will be their fate.?

Janelle Chanona
?How long do you think you?ll have to operate the terminals in this way??

Glenn Tillett
?I wish I could answer that Janelle, but I have no crystal ball. At this point I don?t know, I don?t think anybody knows until a final decision is made by Cabinet.?

?I think most commuters are used to being treated like cattle when they come to places like this. I think over the next couple of weeks, commuters will be pleasantly surprised to find a clean, functional terminal. Somewhere when they come, they will understand that their money is welcomed.?

Janelle Chanona
?As far as getting tickets, especially for visitors to the country who may not know why things are running this way, will you have anyone here directing traffic to people who don?t know what?s happening??

Glenn Tillett
?We intend to have an information desk, we intend to post schedules, we intend to put in things like clocks, so that when you come into the terminal, you will be able to find your bus, you will be able to find your way, you?ll be able to be on time.?

According to Tillett, renovations to the main bus terminal in Belize City are scheduled to be completed within the next two weeks. Part of those renovations will include the relocation of the taxis that park in front of the entrance gates to ensure a steady flow of traffic.