Last week we told you about the ominous letter that the Belize Bus Association sent to the government. The bus operators want Guatemalan and Mexican busses to stop at the Western Border where the taxi cooperatives and the Bus association would then take over their passengers.
They said, quote, "Our members have gotten enough of the dialogue…we will do whatever we need to get GOB's attention and as long as we need to do it," end quote.
Well, they got Belmopan's attention, and right quick!
A high level meeting was held today with the Bus Association and three ministers. A release from the Ministry of Transport an hour ago says, quote, "top officials from the Government of Belize have reached an understanding with representatives of the Belizean Bus Association with respect to buses transiting the country from Guatemala and Mexico. It was agreed that going forward, only one regular bus run per day would be allowed from each country entering Belize during the day and returning to the respective country in the evening. Those buses would only be allowed to drop off passengers within the country who travelled with them from across the border. And, on their return trip to Guatemala or Mexico, they would only be authorized to pick up passengers heading across the border into those respective countries."
That's a pretty significant change for many foreign tour buses and Government will have to adjust the law, and repeal or modify a Statutory Instrument that currently permits those buses to enter the country.
The meeting was chaired by Transport Minister, Edmond Castro, along with Attorney General, Michael Peyrefitte; Minister of State for Investment, Trade and Commerce, Tracy Panton - and other senior government officials. They met with Thomas Shaw, president of the Bus Association and other members of his executive.
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