And as you saw earlier this week, the Ministry has made moves to upgrade the Belize City terminal. But of course, that work came with criticism from the public. Many social media commenters complained that they should just build a new terminal. Williams assured them that that's in the plan, but for now, they're trying to make the terminals a little more comfortable for commuters - and Belmopan is next.
Chester Williams, CEO, Ministry of Transport
"I can assure the Belizean people that myself and my minister and our team here at the ministry are working diligently to make sure that we upgrade the services the commuters are currently getting at our terminals and on the buses. While yes we don't control the type of buses that the operators are using, what we do control is to make sure that the buses that are being used meets the minimum standard so we're working on that through the transport board again. The bus operators have been told what we expect of them when it comes to the buses that are being used to carry passengers across this country. I have listened to the comments of people on the talk shows and one of the greatest things they spoke about was, why are we improving the terminal setting, looking at aesthetics and not building a new terminal per se? Again, we have to make baby steps, we have to start somewhere. Building a new terminal will take about 3 to 4 years, does that mean that we continue to allow our women to sit on a 6 inch metal slab for hours waiting for a bus? Does that mean that we must leave our people coming to the terminal and wondering what is the bus schedule? So to them, I say that while I do understand where they're coming from, it is still good to make little progress that is going to enhance the experience of the commuters when they go to the terminals so what we did when we went to Belize City, we had the architect with us and believe you me, I estimate by the end of this year, the terminal in Belize City and Belmopan will be up to standard, there's no question about that. When you go to a terminal in Belize City or Belmopan, you'll be able to have a very good experience. Because we are going to make it in such a way that when you go, you maybe won't even want to leave the terminal."
