7 News Belize

Commuters Rail Against Citco’s New Bus Crackdwon
posted (September 12, 2013)
Last night on the news, City Councilor with responsibility for transport Alifah Elrington Hyde laid down the new law on City Buses: they can no longer transit on Albert Street - which is the City's main street. Today, we went to the streets and on buses to gauge the public reaction to that.

But, first, for context we go back to the Councilor's remarks:

Jules Vasquez
"We've always known that there are multiple bus stops and unofficial bus stops between Albert and Regent Streets - you all are saying, that will end?"

Alifah Elrington Hyde - City Councilor - Transport
"Yes, that will end - I have made it clear to my traffic manager to put in writing that we are cracking down on enforcements with respect to all means of transportation. As it is now what we're doing, we're ensuring that buses no longer run down Albert St. - that's how we're starting."

Jules Vasquez
"That's effective when?"

Alifah Elrington Hyde
"I'm not sure if it's in effect yet but it should be in effect within the next week if it hasn't as yet."

Jules Vasquez
"No buses?"

Alifah Elrington Hyde
"No buses down Albert Street - so the buses won't be able to come up Orange Street anymore and go down Albert Street. The buses will have to go the long route to hit Regent Street."

Jules Vasquez
"And then how do you answer all those people that say that they have their shopping bags and they need to get on the bus in front of William Quan?"

Alifah Elrington Hyde
"Well, unfortunately they'll have to walk a little more - that's all I can say. Yes, we want people to continue to support the businesses downtown but at the same time we need to change the vision of our city."

So today, 7News hit the streets to find out how the commuters of the city viewed this decision. We caught up with a few who use public transportation daily, and there was resounding opposition.

Here's how our conversation with those residents went:

Commuter #1
"If they held up the kids at the corner of Regent Street West, we grown-ups have to be careful that they don't "jack" us too. What is wrong is Bradley and Alifah Elrington and them? Tell them to THINK!"

Geovanni Brackett, Reporter
"Mrs. Alifah says that it will be good for you all to walk a little distance."

Commuter #1
"Not good for me at all. I walk enough and faster that her too."

Bus driver
"There are a lot of people that will be affected especially the kids from Wesley and James Garbutt School and ACC because we usually bring kids and drop them off at the school. If they stop us from running from Albert Street, the kids will not reach us here for school."

"I feel bad because the kids have to walk and how about when it rains, what will happen? This morning when I went to Lake I Bus Stop, the traffic officer told me that I cannot stop there. It was raining and I went at the other bus stop and the kids was walking in the rain."

Commuter #2
"Personally it's not a good idea because yesterday when I went to town and I was waiting on the bus and they told me that I had to go all the way down in front of Mike's to catch the bus. I was really upset because, first of all it was drizzling and there was no bus stop there and that is an area where people are not around. Yes people will be more in fear of their lives because there will be more crimes for example robberies. I think it's a longer route. What if you have to reach to work a certain time? I think it would be a lot of traffic jam. It's just not going to work any at all."

Commuter #3
"The area that they put the bus stop is an isolated area. Anybody can come and "jack" people. Everybody knows that the crime rate in Belize City is high. Nobody nor the Government can control the crime. Things can happen unpredictable to people out there."

Commuter #4
"We have to come all the way here to come off the bus. I want to know what is the problem."

Geovanni Brackett, Reporter
"What do you think that the Council is saying that the busses cannot go up Albert Street now?"

Commuter #4
"I think that is wrong because sometimes people needs to come off at a certain spot."

Geovanni Brackett, Reporter
"This route will put more pressure on you?"

Commuter #5
"Lots of pressure it puts on me because I am a sick woman and I have to travel a little farther."

Geovanni Brackett, Reporter
"Miss, what you think about what Councilor Alifah Elrington say that you have to walk a little bit more?"

Commuter #5
"She doesn't have pain in her foot and she is not a sick woman. This is like full belly man telling hungry belly woman to bear patience."

Geovanni Brackett, Reporter
"Do you think it makes sense?"

Commuter #6
"It doesn't make any sense at all."

Geovanni Brackett, Reporter
"Now that busses cannot go down Albert Street and if you want to reach like Wesley College and you have to go a longer route. How do you feel about that?"

Commuter #6
"That is not good at all."

Commuter #7
"It's ridiculous. Do you know the Governor General rides this bus: Dame Minita Gordon? I met her on this bus every now and again when she comes down town. It's ridiculous to bring this stop in this neck of the woods."

Geovanni Brackett, Reporter
"The new changes next week are that busses will no longer be able to go down Albert Street."

Commuter #7
"Why?"

Commuter #8
"I don't have any problems with the change of busses buts it's the direction of where the busses has to run. What happen to people that cannot walk?"

Geovanni Brackett, Reporter
"Have you travelled abroad outside of Belize?"

Commuter #7
"Sir, I've lived abroad for many years. I've crisscross the Caribbean, Canada and the United Kingdom."

Geovanni Brackett, Reporter
"Have you seen anywhere that busses are not allowed to go down town?"

Commuter #7
"That's exactly what makes it ridiculous. Go to Mexico, one of the biggest cities in the world. Go to New York, go to London and the busses take you down town. That's the whole purpose of the busses; for poor people, to get them from the population centers to the business centers. The decision takes effect next week."

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