And, switching now to news of another nationwide system, transport has been much in the news this week.
And while there was a lot of focus on Andy Shaw's Western run, one southern run was completely stripped from the family who had held onto it for at least the last decade.
They are Ritchie's Bus Line, a husband and wife co-ownership who found themselves pushed off the Peninsula when G.O.B. decided they wouldn't renew their permit. Here's what the couple had to say about being caught off guard when they spoke to Channel 7's Sunup hosts on Wednesday.
Dalmon Ritchie, Owner Ritchie's Bus Service
"In the meeting when they said 2024 all the operators were very excited because they said okay we have more time, we can do this, you know we can get new buses, at least if we try with one and then down the years we can get and get and get and then the whole fleet will completley change by 2024."
"2024, 2024, the consultation was in, supposed to be rolling out by 2024 not 2023 this guy changed his mouth."
Melissa Ritchie, Owner, Ritchie's Bus Service
"Ok if they say 2023 why is it that it's only us who are getting affected, why not the whole country. Are you aware now that the bus is going all the way up to the international airport."
Host:
"Yes, that was the next question that we were going to be asking you, how do you feel now that the route straight to the airport as well, and how can that trickle into the taxi's that have to be able to make money as well, not just bus operators but just taxi's."
Dalmon Ritchie, Owner Ritchie's Bus Service
"It will affect all the taxi operators in Belize because we used to take people to the airport."
Melissa Ritchie, Owner, Ritchie's Bus Service
"And from Placencia also."
Dalmon Ritchie, Owner Ritchie's Bus Service
"Not a lot of people but we used to take some and we'd always arrange with the taxi guys of, we share it, we share the business with them and when we'd reach there our driver would call them and say, hey guys we have some passengers here to go to the airport. So far, my kids they are trying to accept it, you know I have a son and he is trying so far."
